The Los Angeles Lakers leveled their first-round series on Tuesday night, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 at Crypto.com Arena behind strong performances from Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
James, who recorded 21 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, credited the team’s preparation as a key factor in the Game 2 bounce-back.
“We knew yesterday at practice,” James told reporters postgame. “We had a tough practice, and we went at it. It was one of the best practices we’ve had all year.”
The Lakers opened the game with a 34-15 first quarter and never relinquished the lead, flipping the energy from their blowout loss in Game 1.
“We watched film before practice, and it wasn’t good,” James added. “Game 1 was not good at all. We’re all competitors, and that’s what it took.”
Doncic led all scorers with 31 points, 12 boards and nine assists, including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free-throw line while relentlessly attacking Minnesota’s interior defense.
The Lakers also got 16 points from Austin Reaves and a gritty 11-point effort from Rui Hachimura, who played through a facial injury sustained early in the first quarter.
James acknowledged that while the offense was improved, there remains room for growth.
“We can still be better offensively,” he said. “If we continue to get great looks like that, I believe in our percentages.”
Defensively, Los Angeles held the Timberwolves to 38% shooting and just 5-of-25 from three-point range.
Minnesota, which put up 25 fast break points in Game 1, managed only six in Game 2—a point James emphasized as crucial.
“Sprinting the hell back,” he said when asked what changed. “Fast break points are about energy and effort. Our attention to detail and effort on that side of the floor was very good.”
The game grew tense in the fourth quarter after the Timberwolves cut the deficit to nine, prompting a fiery timeout from Lakers head coach JJ Redick.
“We responded well,” James said. “We know JJ is going to spaz out from time to time. But it’s about listening to the message, not the way he delivers it.”
James also came up with a critical steal with just over two minutes remaining, stopping a Minnesota run and helping secure the win.
“They had numbers, but I saw Anthony Edwards coming across half court and knew he was the most dangerous,” James explained. “That steal pushed the lead back to double digits, which was key.”
Now in his 22nd season, James continues to lead by example on and off the court.
“If I’m going to ask my teammates to do something, I’ve got to do it myself,” he said. “I just try to give my teammates everything I’ve got, offensively and defensively.”
The series now shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday night, with momentum back in the Lakers’ favor.
