The regular season is behind us, and the intensity of the playoffs is in full swing. Every possession matters now, and the pressure is relentless. The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 1 of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves full of optimism, boosted by their home-court advantage and a strong start led by Luka Dončić. Dončić came out aggressive and set the tone early, providing a spark that energized the crowd. However, as the game progressed, things began to unravel for the Lakers.
Despite Dončić scoring 37 points and delivering a standout performance, the Lakers were unable to maintain their early rhythm. The Timberwolves, known for their tough defense, tightened up significantly and shut down LA’s supporting cast. LeBron James added 19 points and Austin Reaves contributed 16, but both struggled against Minnesota’s physical play. The Timberwolves launched a massive 26-6 scoring run, seizing control and never letting go. They finished with a dominant 117-95 win, leaving Lakers fans frustrated and disappointed.
One of those disappointed fans was none other than NBA legend Magic Johnson. After the game, he took to social media to vent his frustrations and critique the Lakers’ performance. In his post, Johnson called out two major areas where the Lakers fell short: defense and energy. He criticized their inability to contain Minnesota, pointing out that they allowed them to shoot over 51% from the field. He also noted a lack of physical effort, saying the team didn’t match the Timberwolves’ intensity.
The Lakers failed in two big categories in their loss against the Timberwolves. On the defensive end – they allowed the Timberwolves to shoot over 51% from the field and they didn’t respond to the physical play of the Timberwolves. Last but not least, it was too much standing…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 20, 2025
Offensively, Johnson was equally critical. He described the Lakers’ offense as stagnant, citing “too much standing around” and an over-reliance on isolation plays from Dončić, LeBron, and Reaves. He felt there wasn’t enough movement or contribution from the rest of the team, and the bench lacked the energy to make a difference.
Earlier the same day, Johnson had already expressed his dismay, calling the performance one of the Lakers’ worst this season. He felt the team played with no urgency, as if it were just another regular-season game. Johnson also directed criticism at head coach JJ Redick. While acknowledging Redick’s strong work throughout the season, he stated that the coach did not perform well in Game 1. He pointed to a lack of in-game adjustments and too much reliance on one-on-one offense as key issues that went unaddressed.
Now, with Game 1 in the books and the Lakers down 0-1 in the series, the pressure is on. Game 2 becomes a must-win if they hope to regain momentum, restore fan confidence, and prove they belong in the playoff picture.