The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 2 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with their backs against the wall. Minnesota took a commanding 1-0 lead by blitzing Los Angeles and never looking back, ultimately securing a 117-95 win.
During a significantly more competitive Game 2, the Lakers relied on what got them to the dance—and won 94-85 in a game that legitimized their grand ambitions.
Los Angeles finished the 2024-25 regular season in the top half of the NBA in both three-point field goals made and three-point field goal percentage. Although not an elite team in that area, they created efficient shots and buried them at an impressive rate.
During Game 2 against the Timberwolves, however, the Lakers couldn’t seem to remember how to shoot from beyond the arc.
Los Angeles finished Game 2 shooting 6-of-29 from beyond the arc—good for a mark of 20.7 percent. It was difficult to watch, as the Lakers’ dependable shooters looked lost whenever they were tasked with spacing the floor.
When all else failed, however, the Lakers were able to trust that their formula for success remains unrivaled: Play through Luka Doncic, finish through LeBron James.
Luka Doncic paces the Lakers, LeBron James closes games out
Doncic saved the day in Game 2, pacing the Lakers through three quarters on a night when few others could get anything going. He finished with 31 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, and a block, applying and sustaining pressure on the Timberwolves’ defense from start to finish.
It was the gutsy performance that the Lakers expected when they traded for him, and have now been rewarded for positioning him to provide.
James’ showing included ebbs and flows, but he stepped up when Los Angeles needed him most. He finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, one block, and a steal, scoring six of the Lakers’ mere 13 points in the fourth quarter.
That included what effectively amounted to a clinching bucket with 2:40 on the clock. He then assisted Doncic with 49.0 seconds remaining, thus putting an end to the Timberwolves’ comeback and securing a crucial Game 2 win.
It was a clutch showing by the Lakers’ franchise players on a night when others continued to struggle. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves admittedly took a step forward overall, combining for 27 points on 11-of-23 shooting, but they also shot a cumulative 0-of-8 from beyond the arc.
Thankfully, they helped spearhead a dominant defensive effort that positioned Doncic and James to take over as only superstars can.
It was a grind of a game from beginning to end, with neither team allowing the opposition to generate offensive momentum. That was a welcome change from Game 1, when the Timberwolves scored 117 points on .512/.500/.800 shooting.
Los Angeles desperately needs to figure out how to generate efficient offense, but when all else fails, Doncic and James have the capacity to be an unrivaled duo.
