On Saturday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves in California (for Game 1 of their first-round playoff series).
The Lakers lost by a score of 117-95.
Luka Doncic finished with 37 points, eight rebounds, one assist and two steals while shooting 12/22 from the field and 5/10 from the three-point range in 40 minutes of playing time.
Many people reacted to his performance on social media.
StatMuse: "Luka in his Lakers playoff debut:
37 PTS
8 REB
2 STL
5 3P
Joins Kobe and LeBron as the only Lakers to reach those numbers in a playoff game."
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 20, 2025Luka in his Lakers playoff debut:
37 PTS
8 REB
2 STL
5 3PSee AlsoTimberwolves 117, Lakers 95: 10 points about Game 1 in the NBA playoff seriesThree best NBA player props, odds on Thursday, April 24: Use Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach Edey in NBA Playoff betsThree best NBA player props, odds on Wednesday, April 23: Use Stephen Curry, Cole Anthony in NBA Playoff picksJoins Kobe and LeBron as the only Lakers to reach those numbers in a playoff game. pic.twitter.com/x2wxsbhudz
Daniel Starkand: "Luka just injected some much-needed life in this building."
Luka just injected some much-needed life in this building.
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) April 20, 2025
Real Sports: "Luka Doncic had the 2nd most points in a Lakers playoff debut — only Shaq had more."
Luka Doncic had the 2nd most points in a Lakers playoff debut — only Shaq had more. pic.twitter.com/RQofGB9dzs
— Real Sports (@realapp_) April 20, 2025
@warriorsworld: "Poor Luka… on an island with Ant Man"
Poor Luka… on an island with Ant Man
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) April 20, 2025
Joel Moran: "Luka Doncic got no help today
LeBron looked LeWashed
Austin Reaves only had 16
Bench scored 13 points total
Please help my goat he was the only one that showed up"
— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) April 20, 2025Luka Doncic got no help today
LeBron looked LeWashed
Austin Reaves only had 16
Bench scored 13 points total
Please help my goat he was the only one that showed up
Sam Quinn: "I think there's a little bit of "the best adjustment is just playing better" going on here. Luka was really the only Laker who played even kind of well. Minny hit a billion 3s. The baseline is closer in this series.
But man, did the Lakers miss having a real center in this game."
— Sam Quinn (@SamQuinnCBS) April 20, 2025I think there's a little bit of "the best adjustment is just playing better" going on here. Luka was really the only Laker who played even kind of well. Minny hit a billion 3s. The baseline is closer in this series.
But man, did the Lakers miss having a real center in this game.
NBA: "LUKA DONČIĆ FROM HALFCOURT
LAKERS CLOSE OUT THE 3Q ON A 17-6 RUN!!!
Timberwolves-Lakers | Game 1 | ABC"
— NBA (@NBA) April 20, 2025LUKA DONČIĆ FROM HALFCOURT 🤯
LAKERS CLOSE OUT THE 3Q ON A 17-6 RUN!!!
Timberwolves-Lakers | Game 1 | ABC pic.twitter.com/otQxzqCvLw
Skip Bayless: "Luka's heart remains in Dallas. He is now obsessed and driven in these playoffs to make Nico pay by losing his job."
Luka's heart remains in Dallas. He is now obsessed and driven in these playoffs to make Nico pay by losing his job.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 20, 2025
ClutchPoints: "Luka Doncic was UNSTOPPABLE in the 1st quarter of Game 1 of the Lakers-Timberwolves
16 points
3 rebounds
5-of-10 FG
3-of-6 3PT"
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 20, 2025Luka Doncic was UNSTOPPABLE in the 1st quarter of Game 1 of the Lakers-Timberwolves 🔥
🪄 16 points
🪄 3 rebounds🪄 5-of-10 FG
🪄 3-of-6 3PT pic.twitter.com/9Wo4zYOFCY
Game 2 of the series will be on Tuesday night.
