While two of the Lakers’ “Big 3” had relatively quiet nights—LeBron James scored just 19 points and Austin Reaves 16, while Luka Doncic went off for 37—the Timberwolves rode big performances from three of their own to a dominating 117-95 win at Crypto.com Arena.
April 21, 2025 – Los Angeles, CA — The NBA has issued a hefty fine to the Los Angeles Lakers following a heated on-court altercation involving Luka Dončić and Anthony Edwards that erupted into a firestorm of controversy. The incident, which took place during primetime showdown between the Lakers and Timberwolves, has ignited fierce reactions across the league and a stark divide among Lakers fans.
The confrontation began in the third quarter when Edwards appeared to taunt Dončić after a contested three-pointer, prompting an aggressive response from the Lakers star. Shouting, shoving, and technical fouls quickly followed. The NBA cited the Lakers for “failure to control bench conduct and escalating tensions,” fining the team $75,000.
Social media lit up in the aftermath, with fans passionately taking sides. Some defended Dončić’s reaction, blaming Edwards for inciting the clash with what they deemed unsportsmanlike behavior. Others criticized Dončić for losing his composure, arguing that his actions cost the team momentum during a crucial stretch.
Dončić remained unapologetic postgame, telling reporters, “I’m not here to let anyone disrespect me or my teammates. Emotions run high when you care.” Edwards, for his part, dismissed the dust-up, saying, “It’s basketball. If he can’t take it, he shouldn’t be out there.”
The incident has sparked a larger debate about sportsmanship, ego, and the intensity of superstar rivalries in today’s NBA. Some Lakers fans worry that the fallout from the clash could destabilize team chemistry, especially with the playoffs looming. Others see it as a sign of passion and grit.
Regardless of opinion, one thing is certain: the Dončić-Edwards rivalry just became must-watch TV. With both teams poised for deep playoff runs, fans and analysts alike are circling future matchups on the calendar — and the NBA is watching closely.
This incident not only underscores the combustible nature of superstar showdowns but also highlights the emotional stakes as teams fight for dominance in a tightly contested Western Conference.
Jaden McDaniels scored a team-high 25 points along with nine rebounds, star shooting guard Anthony Edwards added 22 points, nine assists and eight rebounds, and Naz Reid chipped in 23 points and five rebounds to lead a high-octane Minnesota offense to an easy double-digit victory.
It was just the fifth time this season McDaniels scored 25 or more points in a game.
And while the game itself was memorable for a few reasons—it being Doncic’s Lakers playoff debut, James’ ridiculously slow start in the first half, McDaniels’ breakout performance—the memory some fans will likely remember most from Saturday is of a photo that went viral showing Edwards taunting Doncic in the fourth quarter.
The picture, which was shot by photographer Ronald Martinez of Getty Images, was posted to X by the official “SportsCenter” account with the caption, “WHAT A PHOTO 🥶.”
The post drew some pretty blusterous responses from Timberwolves fans relishing their moment.
“Anthony Edwards wants to make Luka understand that he is the new face of the NBA 😎,” one fan wrote.
“Goat slayer,” another chimed in.
“New screensaver for the next two weeks,” quipped another.
However, the bulk of the comment section were angry Lakers fans chirping back at Timberwolves fans and Edwards for poking the bear, so to speak.
“Luka keeps his receipts,” one fan declared.
“Well we know how this is gonna end!” another noted.
“Will he keep the same energy when he loses the series?” asked a third fan.
“This won’t age well” one user replied.
“After Game 1?!? Okay. Wouldn’t antagonize 77. Nobody should know that better than Ant,” warned another user.
“Lmao this is going to be funny when he gets bounced by Luka in 5,” remarked one fan.
Game 2 of the series is Tuesday night at 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena before shifting back to the Target Center in Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4.