The playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves is set to begin Wednesday night. The Warriors, seeded seventh, are fresh off a nail-biting Game 7 victory against the Houston Rockets, while the sixth-seeded Timberwolves rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. Notably, this matchup marks the first postseason meeting between these two teams, adding an intriguing dynamic.

This season, Golden State dominated the regular season series, winning three out of four games against Minnesota. However, it's essential to note that these games occurred before the Warriors made a significant acquisition, bringing in Jimmy Butler from the Miami Heat. Butler's history with the Timberwolves includes a standout All-Star season in 2017-18, making this series even more compelling for him.

The Dallas Mavericks faced a tumultuous 2024-2025 season, finishing with a disappointing 39-43 record, placing them 10th in the Western Conference. Following a run to the NBA Finals, the Mavs saw major changes, most notably the shocking mid-season trade of star Luka Doncic to the Los Angeles Lakers for Anthony Davis. Early injuries plagued the team, with key players like Kyrie Irving and Davis suffering significant setbacks.

This resulted in the Mavericks utilizing an astonishing 47 different starting lineups throughout the season, contributing to their struggles and ultimately leading to an early exit in the Play-In Tournament against Memphis. Despite the chaos, Kyrie Irving remained a fantasy standout, averaging 24.7 points per game but continuing to grapple with injuries. Meanwhile, first-year Maverick Naji Marshall emerged as a pleasant surprise, while Klay Thompson's disappointing performance raised concerns heading into next season.

JJ Redick has embarked on a new chapter, taking the role of head coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. Emphasizing player development over immediate results, Redick acknowledges the significant changes the team has experienced, particularly with the arrival of Luka Doncic as the new focal point. After a challenging season that ended with a first-round playoff exit, Redick and the Lakers are now focused on building a competitive roster around Doncic.

The Lakers aim to upgrade their center position, having previously attempted to trade for Mark Williams but faced health concerns. Players such as Nicolas Claxton may be potential targets as the team looks to enhance its frontcourt. Moreover, the Lakers also need to consider extension talks for key players like Austin Reaves and Dorian Finney-Smith, as well as the future of LeBron James, who is approaching the final years of his career.

In a closely contested playoff game, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, where a crucial missed foul call on Luka Doncic late in the fourth quarter became a talking point. With the Lakers trailing 114-113, Doncic was tripped by Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels, a foul that the NBA acknowledged in their Last 2-Minute Report. The absence of this call denied Doncic a chance to tie or take the lead from the free-throw line. As the game progressed, Minnesota capitalized on the moment, sealing the match with Anthony Edwards' free throws.

The Lakers' frustrations extended beyond Doncic's foul. LeBron James expressed his annoyance over a missed foul on him during the critical final moments, particularly regarding a play that led to Edwards' free throws. Despite the Lakers' best efforts, including a missed three-pointer from Austin Reaves at the buzzer, they fell short, putting them down 3-1 in the series.

The Los Angeles Lakers are facing a challenging postseason after their recent loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, dropping into a 3-1 series deficit. In a tightly contested Game 4, the Lakers failed to maintain a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter, ultimately losing 116-113. Luka Doncic led the Lakers with a remarkable 38 points despite battling illness, showcasing his resilience. However, Anthony Edwards of the Timberwolves outshone him with a staggering 43 points, proving instrumental in his team's victory.

The Lakers, who were viewed as strong contenders following Doncic's acquisition, now find themselves needing to secure three consecutive wins to advance to the next round. Forward Dorian Finney-Smith invoked LeBron James' legendary comeback from a 3-1 deficit in the 2016 Finals, expressing confidence in the team's ability to turn the series around. Doncic reinforced this belief, reminding everyone that the series isn't over until one team reaches four wins.