Luka Doncic out any questions about nerves in his first playoff game as a Laker to rest right away on Saturday, dominating in the first quarter of Game 1 against the Timberwolves.
Doncic scored the Lakers’ first six points, taking the reins of the offense as LeBron James took some time to settle in. The former Mavericks star appeared to be as comfortable as ever despite seeing his first playoff environment in purple and gold.
Days before the start of the playoffs, Doncic made it clear he believes a championship is a realistic goal for the Lakers. “I think we have the team to do it,” Doncic told reporters after clinching a playoff berth. Doncic’s hot start to the Lakers’ playoff opener served as a reminder L.A. might go as far as he goes.
Here’s a look at Doncic’s stats from Game 1 of the Lakers’ playoff series against the Timberwolves.
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Luka Doncic stats vs. Timberwolves
Final score: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95
- Points: 37
- Rebounds: 8
- Assists: 1
- Steals: 2
- Blocks: 0
- TOs: 5
- Fouls: 3
- FG: 12-22
- 3FG: 5-10
Doncic scored 16 points in the first quarter alone on Saturday night, scoring the first six points of the game by either team and giving the Lakers a comfortable first quarter lead despite a quiet start from both James and Austin Reaves.
Luka Doncic is up to 14 points already in the first quarter of his Lakers playoff debut 🍿 pic.twitter.com/DfR10omcY9
— ESPN (@espn) April 20, 2025
While the All-Star quieted down in the second quarter, finishing the quarter without a made field goal, he still went to halftime on pace for 40 points and kept the Lakers within striking distance of the surging Timberwolves. L.A. fell behind Minnesota in the second half, though Doncic would finish with 37 points on 12-of-22 shooting.
Doncic’s career playoff high is 46 points, scored against the Clippers in 2021. He entered Game 1 averaging 30.9 points, 9.4 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game across 50 career playoff games.
