The 2025 NBA Playoffs began with a dramatic shift in momentum at Crypto.com Arena, where the Los Angeles Lakers looked ready to dominate—until the Minnesota Timberwolves completely flipped the script.
Lakers Start Strong, Then Collapse
The Lakers came out blazing in front of a packed home
crowd. Luka Dončić opened the game with a personal 6-0 run, scoring 14 points in the first eight minutes as the Lakers jumped to a 15-7 lead. With Crypto.com Arena buzzing, it looked like Los Angeles was about to cruise through Game 1.
But the early momentum didn’t last.
Timberwolves Take Over with Huge Second Quarter
Minnesota responded with a stunning 38-20 second quarter, completely turning the game around. The Timberwolves caught fire from beyond the arc and capitalized on a Lakers offense that suddenly went cold.
Jaden McDaniels led the charge with a breakout performance, scoring a game-high 25 points on 11-of-13 shooting, including a perfect 3-for-3 from deep. His early spark in the second quarter helped power a massive 26-6 Timberwolves run that silenced the crowd and seized control of the game.
Lakers Lose Grip
LeBron James, held scoreless in the first quarter, didn’t get on the board until midway through the second. By then, the damage was done. The Lakers struggled to generate offense while Minnesota kept pushing the pace and hitting big shots.
A deep three-pointer at the halftime buzzer by Donte DiVincenzo was the exclamation point on the Timberwolves’ stunning turnaround, sending them into the locker room with all the momentum.
