After the Los Angeles Lakers tied up their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2, Luka Doncic knows the task will get more difficult on the road.
The Lakers fell flat in the opening game of the series but came back strong in Tuesday’s Game 2, winning 94-85 thanks to a strong defensive effort.
After the game, Doncic warned that the next game in Minnesota would be a “war” and encouraged his team not to panic.
Doncic also issued a challenge to teammate LeBron James, saying it will be up to the team’s two veterans to make sure they rise to the occasion.
“We got to stay together. And that’s on me and Bron to keep the team together,” Doncic said.
Doncic turned in his second straight stellar performance in the series, scoring 31 points with 12 rebounds and nine assists to help the Lakers even up the series.
Lakers head coach JJ Redick said the team came back with more urgency after starting out flat in Game 1.
“I think tonight was just more about getting that urgency button switched back on,” Redick said.
James added after the game that the Lakers were determined not to repeat the same mistakes as the series opener.
“We looked at what we didn’t do so well, which is a lot of things in Game 1,” James said. “We took it to heart, held each other accountable and had a much better result.”
