LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers lost Game 1 of their first-round playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, 117-95, at home on Saturday night. James had just 19 points in the loss, while Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points.

LeBron James finished with 19 points on 8-of-18 shooting, along with five rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes. It wasn’t a disastrous performance—but it certainly wasn’t enough. Luka Doncic, acquired midseason in a blockbuster deal involving Anthony Davis, added 37 points of his own.

The most surprising result from the first day of the 2025 NBA playoffs was the Minnesota Timberwolves' 117-95 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their first-round series. After taking the lead early in the second quarter,