The Los Angeles Lakers officially know who they will face in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. One man on the team is surely sitting somewhere, grinning from ear to ear, thinking about all the nasty and horrible things that can be accomplished against the Lakers' first-round matchup. The man in question is Luka Doncic.
The Western Conference was a dogfight until the very last day of the 2024-25 regular season. The Lakers had the third seed locked up after a dominant 140-109 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday. Their matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday was a formality and an opportunity for rest. The teams jockeying for positioning behind them were not afforded such luxuries.
The Lakers needed to wait until the conclusion of an overtime matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Golden State Warriors to find out who they would play. If the Warriors won, there would be another legendary meeting between Stephen Curry and LeBron James on deck. If they lost, the Minnesota Timberwolves would be the sparring partner. The Clippers brought it home in the extra frame, winning a tight 124-119 ball game.
THE BRACKET IS SET 🍿 pic.twitter.com/xZBRkF7LT7
— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2025
There can't be anyone happier to see the result than Doncic. This series offers an opportunity for Luka to get his playoff career with the Lakers started on a very bright note.
Timberwolves are going to be hunted by Doncic
It is time to classify the Timberwolves as an endangered species for the 2024-25 NBA season. The last time Minnesota had the misfortunes of running into Doncic during a postseason setting was the 2024 Western Conference Finals. They were sent packing in five games.
The Slovenian superstar was dominant in the quick showdown between his former Dallas Mavericks team and the Timberwolves. Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 2.2 steals, while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from triple.
Last year's Timberwolves held the best defensive rating during the regular season too. They went into the playoffs with a mark of 108.4. This year's group is a touch worse, ranking sixth in the same category, with a defensive rating of 110.8.
However, the NBA Playoffs are all about matchups. For Doncic, that should mean hunting Rudy Gobert in the pick-and-roll.
No one will soon forget the big-time shot hit by the generational talent over last season's Defensive Player of the Year. For how talented Gobert is on the defensive end, his brand of often-played drop coverage at the center position is easy to exploit for Luka in the pick-and-roll navigation.
Based on the vocal nature of Doncic's celebration following the Game 2 game winner, one would fairly estimate that the Lakers guard enjoys sticking it to Gobert too. Although, Doncic would remind you that no obscenities were shouted and it was all just him speaking his native tongue.
Of the potential first-round matchups that could have awaited the Lakers, the Timberwolves were near the top of desirable matchups. To borrow the iconic rhyme scheme from Shannon Sharpe: Anthony Edwards, take an Advil if your head hurts, Doncic is going to score in large spurts, Lakers in five.