The Lakers led by seven points after the first quarter, but they were outscored 38-20 by Minnesota in the second. Los Angeles wasn't able to trim the deficit to single-digits for the rest of the game, as the Timberwolves led by as many as 27 points.

The trade for Luka Doncic and immediate connection he made with LeBron James has transformed the Lakers into legitimate title contenders.

The Los Angeles Lakers stumbled out to a rough start in the NBA playoffs, falling to the No. 6-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves in blowout Game 1 loss. The 117-95 loss marked the worst margin of defeat in a Game 1 home loss in Lakers history and also the worst Game 1 loss in the first round for LeBron James in his career.