Doncic Drops 37 in Playoff Debut, But Lakers Collapse as Timberwolves Dominate Game 1 in Shocking Rout

Luka Doncic made a memorable debut in the NBA playoffs as a Los Angeles Laker, delivering a stellar 37-point performance in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite his offensive explosion, the Lakers suffered a humbling 117-95 blowout loss, raising questions about the team’s overall cohesion and ability to adjust under playoff pressure.

Doncic set the tone early, pouring in 16 points in the opening quarter to push the Lakers to a 28-21 lead after the first 12 minutes. The energy inside Crypto.com Arena was electric, with fans rallying behind the Purple and Gold as they looked to capitalize on their early momentum. However, that spark faded quickly in the second quarter. Minnesota’s Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels caught fire, combining for 22 points in the period and leading the Timberwolves on a commanding 38-20 run. By halftime, the Lakers found themselves trailing 59-48—a deficit they would never recover from.

After the game, Doncic was candid about his performance. While his scoring output was impressive, his lack of playmaking—reflected in just one assist—stood out as a major shortcoming. “I just tried to set the tone from early,” Doncic told reporters, acknowledging that his inability to get teammates involved was not up to his standards. “But obviously, one assist, that’s not good enough for me.”

The 26-year-old also took a moment to address the Lakers faithful, who brought tremendous energy throughout the night. “It was a great atmosphere,” Doncic said. “Sorry we couldn’t get the first win. The crowd was amazing. They were sticking with us when we were down. I appreciate it.”

Now trailing 0-1 in the series, the Lakers head into Game 2 on Tuesday knowing adjustments must be made. While Doncic’s scoring prowess remains an asset, balancing that with better ball movement and defensive intensity will be key if L.A. hopes to bounce back and even the series.