The Los Angeles Lakers fell behind 2-1 in their first-round series after losing 116-104 to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Friday night.
Following the loss, LeBron James emphasized the importance of controlling “the controllables” in order to bounce back in Game 4.
“We got to control the controllables,” James said during his postgame press conference. “Nineteen turnovers on the road is not going to be a good ingredient for winning.”
James finished with 38 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists but noted that giving up 30 points off turnovers and allowing Minnesota to score more than 20 points in transition made the difference.
Despite battling a stomach illness, Luka Doncic added 17 points but committed five turnovers under constant defensive pressure from Jaden McDaniels.
James acknowledged the impact of Doncic’s health, saying, “It definitely took a big blow for our team.”
When asked about Anthony Edwards’ performance, James credited the Timberwolves’ collective effort and highlighted McDaniels’ breakout game.
“I thought the game ball went to Jaden McDaniels,” James said. “He had 30 and he was aggressive from the start to the finish.”
Edwards scored 29 points, while Julius Randle posted 22 points to help Minnesota dominate the paint with a 56-26 scoring advantage.
Los Angeles tied the game at 103 with 4:37 remaining but managed only one point the rest of the way as Minnesota closed with a 13-1 run.
James explained, “They just made plays, man. We had opportunities. Rui had some good looks, AR had a good look as well. We just couldn’t make them go.”
JJ Redick, coaching his first postseason series, stressed the need for better execution. “We’ve got to value every possession, especially when you’re playing a team as athletic and relentless as Minnesota,” Redick said.
Redick also praised the Timberwolves’ defense, noting, “Their length and energy made it hard for us to find a rhythm late in the game.”
James pointed to the lack of second-chance opportunities, with the Lakers attempting 13 fewer shots than the Timberwolves.
“They had 13 more goals at the rim than we did, and pretty much that could be the game right there,” James said.
He also commented on the performance of role players like Jaxson Hayes, Jared Vanderbilt, and Jordan Goodwin, emphasizing the need for collective toughness and better rebounding moving forward.
Vanderbilt and Goodwin combined for added defensive energy, but James stressed that improving screening and physicality would be key adjustments.
With Game 4 looming on Sunday in Minneapolis, James and the Lakers face a critical test to avoid falling into a 3-1 hole.
