Lakers Bounce Back with Disciplined Play and Star Connection
The Los Angeles Lakers faced a multitude of challenges during their initial playoff game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading to a heavy 117-95 defeat. The Timberwolves excelled from long range, setting a postseason franchise record with an impressive 21 successful three-pointers. They further outpaced the Lakers in fast-break points by a staggering 25 to 6. L.A.’s offense, ranked 11th during the regular season, faltered significantly in the final quarter, mustering only 17 points. Luka Doncic managed just one assist, far below his average, while LeBron James scored 19 points, over five fewer than usual.
However, in Game 2, the Lakers began making strategic adjustments early on, crediting a signature play by their star duo. The pivotal moment began when Wolves player Jaden McDaniels missed a corner three-pointer, prompting Lakers’ Austin Reaves to make a full-speed sprint to challenge him. Subsequently, Rui Hachimura snagged the rebound, quickly passing it to Doncic, who was positioned on the right wing. By the time Doncic received the ball near the three-point line, James was already dashing towards the basket. Wolves guard Mike Conley was the lone defender in James’ path.
Doncic dribbled up the court, spotting James, and seized the moment by hurling a precise 50-foot outlet pass over Conley’s head, landing perfectly into James’ grasp for an easy score. “It’s easy,” Doncic remarked post-game to ESPN. “I know what he’s going to do. He’ll outrun his defender, and I just throw it up there—it’s not hard.” This score put the Lakers ahead 7-4, foreshadowing further adaptations to come. Doncic collected nine assists, helping L.A. reclaim the transitional scoring edge 13-6, leading them to a 94-85 victory and leveling the series 1-1.
As the series proceeds to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), and as Minnesota’s tough No. 6-ranked defense aims to hold firm, the partnership between Doncic and James will not only add a potent element to L.A.’s offense but also demonstrate the formidable synergy they’ve crafted—hoping to fuel a lengthy championship bid. “One thing about Luka,” James explained to ESPN, “you’ve got to be in the right spot at the right time to make the connection, otherwise he won’t give you those passes. I think he trusts me.”
Their successful fast-break coordination was evident immediately in their first game together—a 132-113 victory over the Utah Jazz on February 10. During this game, while already leading by 20 near the end of the second quarter, James contested a three-point shot attempt then briskly advanced past the shooter’s direction. As Doncic collected the rebound, he made a single dribble and sent it down the court, perfectly timing a pass for James to seamlessly finish with a layup.
James celebrated the play with a pointed acknowledgment towards Doncic, emphasizing their budding rapport. “You could instantly see their chemistry in transition,” noted Lakers coach JJ Redick. “In particular, Luka’s vision as an outlet passer allows LeBron to race down the court, resulting in easy opportunities,” he commented on their initial synergy.
This seamless cooperation isn’t new to James. “When you’ve got similar talents around him, like he did with Kevin Love or Dwyane Wade, those connections become lethal,” noted Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith, praising James’ adeptness at interpreting these plays for scoring opportunities. “In this league, easy points are rare,” he added.
Gabe Vincent, another Laker, echoed this sentiment: “Even great players need those simple shots. Sometimes those are the easiest scores he’ll find all night.”
In 21 pre-playoff games, Doncic set up James with five long-distance assists exceeding 60 feet, based on GeniusIQ data, marking the most such connections in the final two months of the regular season among any NBA duo.
While James’ athletic prowess has defied the typical expectations of aging players, his game strategy has evolved. He doesn’t perform the same relentless drives as in his early years. During the series against Minnesota, opponents like Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert have been effective in curbing him in half-court scenarios. However, James’ strategic wit remains sharp. Back in 2018, he acknowledged pacing his energy by discerning when to actively participate on offense and preserve strength for defensive plays.
Operating as the “receiver” to Doncic’s “quarterback” is just the latest evolution in James’ playing style. When asked what underpins their connection on the court, James deferred to Doncic: “Offensively? It’s simple—hand Luka the ball. Stay prepared, so we don’t have to scramble later,” explained James.
Before facing the Lakers on February 27, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch pondered how James would challenge defenses without constantly handling the ball. “Over-committing can lead to open lanes for him to charge down unimpeded, potentially disastrous for defenses,” Finch observed during preparations. “We’re quite focused on how LeBron moves off the ball and its impact on our defensive strategies—it’s a whole new level of threat.”