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Fans React to Shocking Lakers First Half Meltdown vs Timberwolves

Los Angeles had a rough opening salve against Minnesota.
Alex Kirschenbaum|
Apr 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Apr 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA: Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) in the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers had a rough opening salve against Minnesota.

L.A. started off strong. An efficient 16-point Luka Doncic first quarter performance on 5-of-10 shooting from the field (3-of-6 from distance) propelled the Lakers to a 28-21 edge.

But things took a turn for the worse in the second quarter. The Timberwolves turned on the defense and Sixth Man of the Year Naz Reid took more scoring initiative. Minnesota outscored Los Angeles 38-20 in the frame.

Reid notched 17 points while shooting 6-of-8 from the floor (4-of-5 from deep) and 1-of-2 from the foul line, grabbed five rebounds and blocked one shot. Head coach Chris Finch played him considerably more minutes than more plodding starting center Rudy Gobert, 18:14 to 12:41.

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Minnesota's strategy, for now, appears to be letting Doncic get his shots, while swarming everyone else.

The Timberwolves lead by 11 points at the break, 59-48, thanks to a buzzer-beating Donte DiVincenzo triple.

L.A.'s third-best player, Austin Reaves, has just two points through two quarters.

Understandably, Lakers fans are frustrated about the second quarter breakdown.

Los Angeles has struggled mightily in its minutes without Doncic. An L.A. fan called back to a darker time (from a win-loss perspective) in franchise history.

Minnesota's 26-6 run to reclaim the upper hand in the contest caused some major distress amongst the Tinseltown faithful.

James has struggled to connect with teammates more often than not so far, a fact that was called out critically by @BricksCenter.

A Timberwolves fan, meanwhile, is calling out game officials for awarding Los Angeles with a seemingly generous free throw advantage, 12-5, and calling far fewer fouls, 4-11.

All-Defensive Team swingman Jaden McDaniels has 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and six rebounds.

Doncic leads all players with 20 points on 5-of-11 shooting from the floor (3-of-7 from distance) and 7-of-8 shooting from the foul line. James recovered after a scoreless first quarter to score 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting by the half.

The Timberwolves made 11-of-22 shoots from long range, and outscored L.A. 20-10 in the painted area.

More Los Angeles Lakers News: 

Pau Gasol Sent Special Message to Lakers' Luka Doncic After Epic Return to Dallas

Western Conference Executive Compares Lakers' Austin Reaves to Undrafted Hall of Famer

Los Angeles Insider Walks Back Criticism of Bronny James with Honest Admission

Lakers Linked to $100 Million Blazers Star as Summer Trade Target

For the latest Los Angeles Lakers news and notes, stay glued to Los Angeles Lakers On SI.

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Alex Kirschenbaum
ALEX KIRSCHENBAUM

Currently also a scribe for Newsweek, Hoops Rumors, The Sporting News and "Gremlins" director Joe Dante's film site Trailers From Hell, Alex is an alum of Men's Journal, Grizzlies fan site Grizzly Bear Blues, and Bulls fan sites Blog-A-Bull and Pippen Ain't Easy, among others.

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