This was the worst possible playoff start for the Los Angeles Lakers
The Western Conference third seed entered the postseason full of optimism but were crushed by the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-95 in the opening game of their first-round playoff.
The criticism has come fast and thick after the Lakers put up one of their most shocking performances all season.
One person left furious after the loss was five-time NBA champion and Lakers legend Magic Johnson, who took aim at head coach JJ Redick.
“Coach JJ Redick did a great job all season but he didn’t do a good job for Game 1,” Johnson wrote on X.
“The Lakers stood around on offense, played too much one-on-one basketball, and he didn’t make any necessary adjustments.”
Although he didn’t stop there, as the 65-year-old suggested the team didn’t take the game seriously enough.
“Tonight was one of the Lakers’ worst performances this season,” he added.
“They were flat, had no energy, and they played like it was a regular season game.
“Timberwolves dominated the Lakers in every category winning 117-95 tonight. They were more physical, more athletic, faster, and came up with every loose ball.”
Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, Naz Reid added 23 with six 3-pointers, and Anthony Edwards put up 22 points, eight rebounds and 9 assists.
“I got a great group of guys,” Edwards said.
“But it wasn’t tonight; I learned that in training camp. It just takes a minute for us to gel as a new team. It just took a minute for us to figure each other out, and I feel like now we just go”
Luka Doncic was the only Lakers’ star whose level didn’t drop; he put up 16 points in the first quarter before ending the night with 37, yet he felt the need to apologize to the fans last night.
“I just tried to set the tone from early,” the 26-year-old guard said when asked about his performance, per LoJo Media.
“But obviously, one assist, that’s not good enough for me.”
“Sorry, we couldn’t get the first win. The crowd was amazing. They were sticking with us when we were down. I appreciate it.”
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For Redick, he got a brutal welcome into playoff coaching, and he admitted his team failed to match up physically with the Timberwolves last night.
“It’s not to say our guys weren’t ready to withstand a playoff-level basketball game. … I’m not sure physically we were ready,” he said.
“And really when [the Wolves] started playing with a lot of thrust and physicality, we just didn’t respond to meet that.”
The Lakers have the opportunity to level the series on Tuesday night as they host Minnesota again in game two.
