The Los Angeles Lakers evened their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a decisive 94-85 win at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday night.
The Lakers bounced back from a tough Game 1 defeat by controlling the game from the start and showcasing their defensive intensity. Austin Reaves, who contributed 16 points in the victory, spoke candidly about his team’s mindset and performance in the aftermath.
When asked about the heightened physicality in Game 2, Reaves emphasized the importance of matching Minnesota’s intensity. “If you don’t meet that physicality with physicality, then you’re seeing the result,” Reaves explained. “That was the emphasis going into the night: play harder.”
Reaves also addressed his shooting struggles early in the game. He missed several open three-pointers but remained unshaken. “If I’m open, I’m going to shoot it. If not, I’m going to try to make a play for a teammate,” he said. “I trust the work that I put in.”
Lakers teammate Rui Hachimura played a key role in the win despite facing a bloody nose early in the game. Reaves praised Hachimura’s toughness, particularly his defense against Julius Randle. “He came back out and didn’t look like anything had happened,” Reaves said. “He was out there competing every single possession.”
The game was physical, with 46 fouls called and multiple video reviews. Reaves reflected on the Lakers’ defensive play, including his crucial charge late in the game. “You win or lose on the smallest margins,” he noted. “In the playoffs, you’ve got to lay it all on the line and do whatever you can to help your team win.”
Despite missing some key shots, Reaves felt confident in his team’s overall performance. “We’ve done it multiple times this year,” he said, referencing the team’s commitment to playing hard, even when the offense isn’t clicking. “Everybody was locked in, everybody was willing to do whatever it took to get this win.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick also played a crucial role in motivating the team, especially when Minnesota cut the lead to 11 in the third quarter. Reaves revealed Redick’s fiery huddle speech: “He wasn’t happy, and we responded well.”
With a balanced team effort, including Luka Doncic’s game-high 31 points and LeBron James’ all-around performance (21 points, 11 rebounds, 7 assists), the Lakers were able to hold off the Timberwolves. Minnesota’s shooting woes—particularly from beyond the arc—hampered their efforts, as they made just 5-of-25 three-pointers.
The series now shifts to Minneapolis, with both teams eager to seize control in Game 3 on Friday night.
