The regular season is long gone, and the playoffs are turning up the heat like never before. With every possession counting, pressure is now part of every dribble. The Lakers came into Game 1 against the Timberwolves with high hopes and big expectations. They had home-court advantage, and Luka Dončić set the tone early. But as the night unfolded, everything began slipping, like sand through their fingers. And Magic Johnson had his say.

Despite Dončić dropping 37 points, the Lakers couldn’t hold on to their early momentum. He lit up the court in the first quarter, giving fans a spark of confidence. But Minnesota’s defense clamped down, and LA’s role players went cold. LeBron scored 19 and Austin Reaves 16, yet both faltered against Minnesota’s physicality. Minnesota erupted on a 26‑6 run, taking control and never looking back. They won the game with a score of 95-117. And the fans are disappointed, including the former 5x NBA champion Magic Johnson, who made his feelings clear.

Shortly after the loss, Magic Johnson took to X and tweeted a breakdown of where things went wrong. Furious, he said the Lakers “failed in two big categories”—first on defense, allowing Minnesota to shoot over 51%. Then, he pointed out how LA didn’t match the Timberwolves’ physical energy. Offensively, he criticized their stagnant play: “too much standing around”. He added how the offense fell apart, saying there was too much standing around, watching Reeves, Dončić, and LeBron go one-on-one. In simple terms, the energy was off, and the bench didn’t bring the spark needed.

However, this was not the only thing he had to say about the Lakers. Just some hours ago, he had called it “one of the Lakers worst performances this season.” He claimed that the team played flat, had no spark, and treated it like “a regular season game.” He also called out head coach JJ Redick, noting that while Redick did well all season, “he didn’t do a good job for Game 1.” Magic highlighted a lack of adjustments and too much isolation play, saying Redick failed to shift the game’s momentum.

So, where do the Lakers go from here? With this loss, Game 2 will be even more important for them, they will need to win it in order to win back the faith of the fans and also to prove that they belong in the playoffs.

Lebron’s frustration and Pelinka’s missed opportunity: Lakers’ game 1 nightmare

The Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 1 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves wasn’t just a loss; it was a glaring exposure of everything that has been going wrong for the team. Fans and analysts alike were left reeling after a 117-95 blowout. They questioned not just the effort on the court, but also the structure of the team off it. While LeBron James took the mic to offer his thoughts on the loss, it became increasingly clear that the issue runs much deeper than a few bad rotations or turnovers—it’s about the lack of support from the front office, namely GM Rob Pelinka.

LeBron’s frustrations were palpable in his post-game comments. This is especially so when he was asked about the Lakers’ turnover woes and defensive breakdowns. He pointed out that the Timberwolves capitalized on LA’s mistakes, turning 13 turnovers into 18 points, while the Lakers could only manage 9 points off Minnesota’s 10 giveaways. “Taking care of the ball is very important,” he said, trying to stay composed. But as the game wore on, his frustrations were hard to hide. “If you turn the ball over, you’ve got to get back in transition,” he added.

While James focused on the technical aspects, his words highlighted something more significant: the construction of this Lakers team. The performance in Game 1 exposed the glaring lack of depth, a flaw that’s been building for months. It’s no secret that Pelinka has struggled to build a solid roster around LeBron. And it was evident when the Lakers couldn’t match the Timberwolves’ physicality or depth. Despite Doncic’s 16 points in the first quarter, James and Austin Reaves remained cold, leaving Luka to fight an uphill battle on his own.

The game quickly spiraled out of control as Minnesota’s defense overwhelmed the Lakers. A 38-20 second-quarter explosion from the Timberwolves set the tone, and their 11-0 run to start the third quarter was the final nail in the coffin. It wasn’t just a loss—it was a humiliation, with the Lakers looking disorganized and outmatched. LeBron’s anger wasn’t just about missed shots—it was a reflection of a team that, despite its star power, continues to struggle with its fundamentals. With the Lakers facing a must-win Game 2, the pressure is mounting not just on the players, but on Pelinka to make some much-needed changes.