LeBron and Luka Deliver, but Questions Pile Up for Wolves and Lakers Before Game 3

The Minnesota Timberwolves could never find their true stride last night, losing Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers 94-85. Luka Doncic’s 31-point double-double, paired with LeBron James’ 21-point double-double, kept Los Angeles in control for most of the night.

It was a disappointing shooting performance from superstar guard Anthony Edwards, who shot 45% from the field and just 25% from beyond the arc. The lack of adjustments by Head Coach Chris Finch in Game 2 raised concerns, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith pointed to the Wolves’ inconsistency as a troubling sign.

“I know he’s a good coach [Finch], I really, really do — but I gotta look at coaching,” Smith said on First Take this morning. “When historically you’re a bit haphazard, you’re a bit bipolar — what you are one night, you may not be the next night. This is something that has happened to them offensively going on two years.”

Doncic has been on a tear through the first two games, similar to his performance against Minnesota in last year’s Western Conference Finals. The Timberwolves will need to find a way to contain him if they hope to win the series.

Despite the win, Los Angeles was not overly impressive. The Lakers allowed Minnesota to stay in the game and shot just 21% from three-point range. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst expressed disappointment in both teams’ performances so far.

“I’ll give them a pass that it was the first two games of the series — it’s going to be a long series — I just wasn’t impressed either way,” Windhorst said on First Take. “Luka has given Minnesota all kinds of problems the last two years. If I had to look into the future and say how this series is going to go, I don’t see how Minnesota stops him. So I lean toward the Lakers. Luka probably carries them, but Ant Edwards hasn’t been great these first two games, and what was alarming last night was him saying he was confused by the defense the Lakers put on him.”

Adjustments will need to be made before Game 3 on Friday night in Minnesota. Check out the videos of Smith and Windhorst from First Take this morning.

.@WindhorstESPN wasn’t impressed by the play of either team in the Lakers’ Game 2 win over the Wolves 😳

“One of these two teams thinks that they can run through the West playing this way?” 👀 pic.twitter.com/GrbYsHYrlY

— First Take (@FirstTake) April 23, 2025

“Everybody and their grandmother knows [Julius Randle] is going left.” 😅 @stephenasmith calls out Anthony Edwards and coach Chris Finch for the Wolves’ offense being too “predictable” in Game 2 against the Lakers 👀 pic.twitter.com/Wm4JscjOyf

— First Take (@FirstTake) April 23, 2025