Magic Johnson appalled as Lakers get ‘punked’ at home by Timberwolves in Game 1

Lakers legend Magic Johnson left stunned by his sides Game 1 loss to the Timberwolves in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Magic Johnson appalled as Lakers get ‘punked’ at home by Timberwolves in Game 1

Magic Johnson laments the Lakers first loss in the Playoffs (Images via IG)

Going into the first round of the NBA Playoffs, many expected the Los Angeles Lakers to snatch an easy win against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1. However, a few people did not rule out the Timberwolves snatching a win at the Crypto.com Arena. It turns out they were right, as the Timberwolves and their star Anthony Edwards upset the Lakers at home on Saturday.

This surely left the NBA community stunned. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers with a blowout performance of 117–95. This did not sit well with former Laker and franchise legend Magic Johnson, who took to his X to criticise the performance. He did not hold back in his assessment of his former side, stating it was the ‘worst performance’ showcased by the side this season.

Tonight was one of the Lakers worst performances this season. They were flat, had no energy, and they played like it was a regular season game.

Magic Johnson wrote on X
YouTube video

Johnson is not wrong as the Lakers were poor throughout the game. Despite having the likes of Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves on the roster, the Timberwolves outscored them by a mile. Notably, the Lakers’ troubles started on defense, as Minnesota scored 63 of their 117 points from beyond the arc, shot 51.2% from the field on 86 shots, and made 50% of their 3-point tries.

Doncic had a strong offensive game, finishing with 37 points in his Lakers playoff debut, but his passing performance was unusual, recording just one assist. James finished the game with 19 points, five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals, while Reaves finished with 16 points.

For the Timberwolves, top scorer Jaden McDaniels scored 25 points, followed by 23 points from the bench from Naz Reid. It was a collective effort from the Timberwolves‘ stars on offense and in defense to topple the Lakers’ big 3 at their home court.

Kendrick Perkins calls out the Lakers after a poor home defeat to the Timberwolves in Game 1

It’s safe to say that NBA legend Magic Johnson was not the only one keeping tabs on his former side, the Los Angeles Lakers’ game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. NBA analysts like Kendrick Perkins and Stephen A. Smith also paid attention to the game. However, the Lakers lost poorly to the Timberwolves, and Perkins did not waste time putting forward his views.

Perkins noted a huge problem for the Lakers. The problem, per Perkins, was that the Lakers were outscored 38-20 in the 2nd quarter by the Wolves and 73-50 in the 2nd / 3rd quarters combined.

Outscored 38-20 in the 2nd. Outscored 73-50 in the 2nd / 3rd qtrs combined. Straight punked.

Kendrick Perkins wrote on X

No other Laker tallied in double figures, except James, Luka Doncic, and Reaves—hardly a prescription for success in the postseason. This is one major issue the Lakers’ HC JJ Redick will have to sort out before the upcoming Game 2 against the Timberwolves.

Stephen A. Smith takes a subtle jab at the Lakers’ recent loss involving longtime fan Shannon Sharpe

One person in particular who would surely be relishing the Los Angeles Lakers’ Game 1 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves is Stephen A. Smith. Given his history with Lakers star LeBron James over the past few months, Smith was rooting for the Timberwolves to win, and they did in some fashion. Smith quickly took to his X account to throw shade at the Lakers as well as Shannon Sharpe.

Why Sharpe? Because Sharpe is a longtime Lakers fan and always makes his feelings clear towards Smith regarding his support for the franchise. Sharpe also predicted that the Lakers ‘would win in five’ regarding this ongoing series. However, Smith does not agree, per his recent X post.

Someone just text me with this message to send DIRECTLY to @ShannonSharpe : Triple-A….NWA…..I Don’t Care what Shannon has to say = Lakers AIN’T winning in 5.

Stephen A. Smith wrote on X

Now, only time will tell whether or not Smith gets the upper hand on Sharpe going forward in this series or whether it’ll be the other way around. Nevertheless, on Tuesday, April 22, the Lakers will play Game 2 against the Timberwolves at Crypto.com Arena.