The Timberwolves are stepping into the playoff spotlight as the No. 6 seed out West, and their first hurdle is no walk in the park — a star-studded showdown with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the No. 3 seed Lakers.
The Lakers (50-32), led by a 40-year-old LeBron still defying time and a frequently banged-up Anthony Davis, have been all over the map. While their record might suggest they’re a solid unit, the numbers tell a different tale.
Since hoisting the trophy in 2020, they’ve been chasing shadows — missing the playoffs in 2022 and falling flat in the first round last year, despite a deeper run to the Western Conference finals in 2023.
Since March 1, Minnesota has found another gear — only the Thunder have a better mark in the West over that stretch (17-4). They’ve been lighting it up on offense, putting up 121.9 points per 100 possessions (second in the league), while keeping it tight on defense too, ranking seventh in points allowed.
Here’s what you need to know to listen to Lakers playoff games in 2025.
Lakers radio station
Local fans can listen to Lakers playoff games on flagship station 710 AM ESPNLA.
All Lakers game broadcasts are also available nationwide on SiriusXM.
New subscribers can enjoy SiriusXM for free for four months. Listen to live NBA, NHL, NFL and MLB games, plus NASCAR, college sports and more. Stay updated with all the news and get all the analysis on multiple sport-specific channels.
Lakers radio announcers
John Ireland, once a familiar face roaming the sidelines on KCAL-9 from 2002 to 2011, is now calling the shots from the booth in his 14th season as the Lakers’ trusted radio play-by-play voice.
A staple in Southern California sports media, Ireland has a trophy case boasting seven local Emmy Awards and keeps fans dialed in as co-host of the Mason and Ireland Show on the team’s flagship station, 710 AM ESPN LA.
Joining him on the airwaves is Mychal Thompson, a key piece of the Lakers’ back-to-back championship runs in 1987 and 1988. Now in his 22nd season breaking down the action as the team’s radio analyst, Thompson brings a championship pedigree and sharp insight to every broadcast.
Before teaming up with Ireland, he spent a couple of seasons as the TV analyst for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Together, they form a dynamic duo that keeps Lakers Nation plugged in and fired up all season long.
Lakers playoff schedule 2025
First round (vs. Timberwolves)
| Date | Game | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Sat, April 19 | Game 1 at Lakers | 8:30 p.m. |
| Tue, April 22 | Game 2 at Lakers | 10 p.m. |
| Fri, April 25 | Game 3 at Timberwolves | 9:30 p.m. |
| Sun, April 27 | Game 4 at Timberwolves | 3:30 p.m. |
| Wed, April 30 | Game 5* at. Lakers | TBD |
| Fri, May 2 | Game 6* at Timberwolves | TBD |
| Sun, May 4 | Game 7* at Lakers | TBD |
* If necessary
NBA Playoffs schedule, key dates for 2025
Here are the key dates to know for the NBA Playoffs and offseason. Some series start dates could move up depending on when previous series end.
| Event | Dates |
|---|---|
| Play-In Tournament | April 15-18 |
| First round begins | April 19 |
| Conference semifinals begin | May 5-6 |
| NBA Draft Lottery | May 12 |
| Western Conference finals begin | May 20 |
| Eastern Conference finals begin | May 21 |
| NBA Finals begin | June 5 |
| NBA Finals Game 7 (if necessary) | June 22 |
| NBA Draft at Brooklyn | June 25-26 |
Related Links
