Newsletter
Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Reading: Magic Johnson Explains Where Lakers Failed In Their Blowout Loss To Timberwolves
Fadeaway WorldFadeaway World
Search
  • Fadeaway World
  • NBA News & Analysis
  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA News & Media
  • Exclusive Interviews
  • NBA 2K
Follow US
Home > NBA News & Analysis > Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis > Magic Johnson Explains Where Lakers Failed In Their Blowout Loss To Timberwolves

Magic Johnson Explains Where Lakers Failed In Their Blowout Loss To Timberwolves

Magic Johnson highlights where the Lakers came up short in their loss to the Timberwolves in Game 1.

Gautam Varier
Apr 21, 2025
4 Min Read
Share

Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Lakers entered Game 1 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves full of confidence but ended up getting blown out at home. The Timberwolves won 117-95, and Lakers icon Magic Johnson took to X to point out two areas where his team failed as they went down 1-0.

“The Lakers failed in two big categories in their loss against the Timberwolves. On the defensive end – they allowed the Timberwolves to shoot over 51% from the field and they didn’t respond to the physical play of the Timberwolves. Last but not least, it was too much standing around on the Lakers offense and players watching the Lakers big three, Reeves, Doncic and James, go one-on-one. We need far more productivity from the bench.”

Johnson was pretty much on point with all that he stated there. The Timberwolves went 44-86 from the field and 21-42 from beyond the arc in Game 1. The Lakers didn’t defend well at all, allowing one open look after another. All 42 of those three-pointers attempted were classified as wide-open or open, which is just flat-out terrible.

To go with that, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were repeatedly hunted on defense as well. The fact that the Lakers didn’t have a proper big man on the court meant the Timberwolves had success inside, too, and Lakers head coach JJ Redick is going to have to make some adjustments for Game 2.

As for Johnson’s point about physical play, Redick and LeBron James admitted the Lakers weren’t ready for the level of physicality that the Timberwolves played with. James made it clear they will be prepared for it in Game 2, and we’ll soon find out if they are.

Now, getting to the offensive end, the Lakers weren’t much better when it came to putting the ball in the basket either. They went 33-83 (39.8%) from the field and 15-41 (36.6%) from beyond the arc.

Johnson felt the role players were just standing around while the stars kept playing one-on-one basketball. That was a point he made on Saturday night as well, following the loss. Johnson felt that was one of the Lakers’ worst performances of the season, and it indeed was. They just didn’t do anything well, and it was quite surprising.

Before the series, Johnson had picked the Lakers to win in six. The 65-year-old did add, though, that he was a bit scared as they were going up against Anthony Edwards.

Edwards finished with 22 points (8-22 FG), eight rebounds, nine assists, and one steal in Game 1. He struggled a bit with his shot but made an impact by contributing in other ways.

Johnson also felt that the Timberwolves could win the series if Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo stepped up, and the former did. Reid had 23 points in Game 1, and the Lakers made life easy for him by giving him one too many wide-open looks. If they do that again in Game 2, he’ll make them pay again. 

Game 2 will be at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday at 10 PM ET, and it’s not an exaggeration to call it a must-win for the Lakers. As great as Doncic and James are, it’ll be almost impossible to win four out of five games when three of them will be held in Minnesota.

Follow on Google News

Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We appreciate your support.

TAGGED:Los Angeles Lakers ArchiveMagic JohnsonMinnesota Timberwolves Archive
Share This Article
Facebook Email Copy Link Print
ByGautam Varier
Follow:
Gautam Varier is a staff writer and columnist for Fadeaway World from Mumbai, India. He graduated from Symbiosis International University with a Master of Business specializing in Sports Management in 2020. This educational achievement enables Gautam to apply sophisticated analytical techniques to his incisive coverage of basketball, blending business acumen with sports knowledge.Before joining Fadeaway World in 2022, Gautam honed his journalistic skills at Sportskeeda and SportsKPI, where he covered a range of sports topics with an emphasis on basketball. His passion for the sport was ignited after witnessing the high-octane offense of the Steve Nash-led Phoenix Suns. Among the Suns, Shawn Marion stood out to Gautam as an all-time underrated NBA player. Marion’s versatility as a defender and his rebounding prowess, despite being just 6’7”, impressed Gautam immensely. He admired Marion’s finishing ability at the rim and his shooting, despite an unconventional jump shot, believing that Marion’s skill set would have been even more appreciated in today’s NBA.This transformative experience not only deepened his love for basketball but also shaped his approach to sports writing, enabling him to connect with readers through vivid storytelling and insightful analysis.
Previous Article Jayson Tatum’s Mom Fired Up After Hard Foul On Son, Jokes About Visiting Magic Locker Room
Next Article Stephen Curry Steps In To Defend Jimmy Butler After Charles Barkley’s Jab
Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Newsletter

Stay up to date with our newsletter on the latest news, trends, ranking lists, and evergreen articles

Newsletter
Facebook X-twitter Instagram

You Might Also Like

Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick speaks to media before a Game 2 of the first round of the 2024 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Lakers News & Analysis

JJ Redick Explains Why Lakers Got Blown Out By Suns In Preseason Opener

October 4, 2025
Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) reacts against the Golden State Warriors at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix Suns News & Analysis

Devin Booker Trolls Deandre Ayton During Lakers-Suns Game

October 4, 2025
Lonzo Ball
Cleveland Cavaliers News & Analysis

Lonzo Ball On Track For Major Redemption Season, Turning Heads At Training Camp

October 4, 2025
Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27), center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Christian Braun (0) in the fourth quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game 6 of the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images
Denver Nuggets News & Analysis

Denver Nuggets Guard Declares They Have The Best Starting Five In The NBA

October 4, 2025

NBA - Fadeaway World

  • Atlanta Hawks
  • Boston Celtics
  • Brooklyn Nets
  • Charlotte Hornets
  • Chicago Bulls
  • Cleveland Cavaliers
  • Dallas Mavericks
  • Denver Nuggets
  • Detroit Pistons
  • Golden State Warriors
  • Houston Rockets
  • Indiana Pacers
  • Los Angeles Clippers
  • Los Angeles Lakers
  • Memphis Grizzlies
  • Miami Heat
  • Milwaukee Bucks
  • Minnesota Timberwolves
  • New Orleans Pelicans
  • New York Knicks
  • Oklahoma City Thunder
  • Orlando Magic
  • Philadelphia 76ers
  • Phoenix Suns
  • Portland Trail Blazers
  • Sacramento Kings
  • San Antonio Spurs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Utah Jazz
  • Washington Wizards

Pages

  • NBA Trade Rumors
  • NBA Media
  • Exclusive NBA Interviews
  • NBA 2K News & Updates

© 2025 Fadeaway World @ All Rights Reserved

  • About Fadeaway World
  • Fadeaway World Authors
  • Editorial Team
  • Ethics Policy
  • Corrections Policy
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Contact Us
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?