After a tough loss in Game 1 despite an impressive individual performance, Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers responded in commanding fashion in Game 2, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-85 to even their first-round series at one game apiece.
Doncic, playing in just his second playoff game in Purple and Gold, led the way for the Lakers with a near triple-double—finishing with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists. It was a signature performance on a night the Lakers desperately needed a spark.
The 26-year-old Slovenian guard made history in the first half alone, recording 22 points, five rebounds, and five assists before halftime—becoming just the third Laker to hit those marks in the first half of a playoff game, joining Kobe Bryant and Anthony Davis. Interestingly, both of those stars led the Lakers to the NBA Finals in the same seasons they accomplished that feat.
Doncic’s hot start helped L.A. build a 58-43 halftime lead, setting the tone early with efficient shooting, precise playmaking, and timely rebounding. The Lakers managed to hold off late pushes from Minnesota, who were powered by Julius Randle (27 points) and Anthony Edwards (25 points), but couldn’t recover from the early deficit.
Looking ahead to Game 3 in Minneapolis on Friday, Doncic acknowledged the intensity that awaits.
“Going into Minnesota will be a war. The fans are going to be cheering like crazy … We can’t panic,” Doncic said via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
It’s a familiar position for Doncic, who eliminated the Timberwolves in five games during last year’s Western Conference Finals en route to the NBA Finals. Now, he’ll aim to replicate that success—this time, in a Lakers uniform, on a mission to lead them back to championship contention.
