The Minnesota Timberwolves dominated the Los Angeles Lakers 117-95 in Game 1 of their playoff series, leaving the Lakers in a precarious position. The Lakers struggled defensively, allowing Minnesota to overpower them in key areas such as rebounding, paint scoring, and perimeter shooting. The home crowd at Crypto.com Arena, which hadn't seen a Game 1 since 2012, was largely subdued, prompting Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards to criticize the atmosphere, comparing it unfavorably to Denver's Ball Arena.

Edwards remarked that playing in Denver is a far tougher challenge, highlighting the need for Lakers fans to step up their energy for Game 2. With the series shifting to Minneapolis for the next two games, the pressure mounts on Los Angeles, as another loss could significantly jeopardize their playoff hopes.