Lakers vs. Timberwolves: Prediction, Probable Starting Lineups & More

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Prediction, Probable Starting Lineups, And Injury Updates (April 19, 2025)

Game Updates of Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves — *Austin Reaves and Mike Conley (Photo By Jason Parkhurst/Imagn Images)*

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves will be having their game 1 of the first-round playoff series on Saturday, April 19, at Crypto.com Arena. The Western Conference’s third-seeded Lakers will face the sixth-seeded Timberwolves after a very long time since the 2004 conference finals featuring Shaquille Neal, Kobe Bryant, and Kevin Garnett. With the regular season tied, both teams are highly ready for their encounter..

The Lakers, securing Sixth position on the table, recorded 6-4, having an average of 117.4 points per game in their last ten games, proving a sensational season so far. Despite not being able to make it in their last game against the Chicago Bulls but it was a very slight dip in their scores. Lakers had their tough times with older James and injured Anthony Davis, but they got Luka Doncic as a ray of hope in their team. That pick secured their future with Luka even after LeBron retires.

On the other hand, the Minnesota Timberwolves are having a promising season, securing 8 wins and 2 losses in their last 10 games. Although they were beaten by the Indiana Pacers in their last game. Having an average of 118.6, 47.6 rebounds, and 26.9 assists, they made a good impact, building the team into a strong contender against their opponents. They had traded their star player, Karl Anthony Towns, to have Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, which was bad for their team at first. But with the help of Anthony Edwards and other players like Divincenzo, Naz Reid, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, the Wolves got their immunity back.

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Prediction

*Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2), forward LeBron James (23), forward Rui Hachimura (28), center Jaxson Hayes (11), and Luka Doncic (77) celebrate (Photo By Jonathan Hui/Imagn Images)*

The playoff game is highly anticipated. Though they split their games during the regular season, things are different now as the Lakers got their best pick, Luka Doncic. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves no longer have Karl-Anthony Towns with them. Despite a strong roster featuring players like Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, the Lakers have a poor defensive squad. Meanwhile, the Wolves are playing extremely well with their strong depth in offense and defense, including Anthony Edwards’ high-scoring ability.

If Edwards meets the team’s needs in the upcoming game, the Timberwolves can even slow down the great defenders Doncic and Reaves. But if it doesn’t happen, the Timberwolves will have to depend on another key recent pick, Julius Randle, who has not been consistent in the playoffs so far. However, the Lakers have their three experienced insiders ready to deal with any situation, while the Timberwolves mostly rely on Edwards. The expectation will be a lot of back-and-forth action between these two teams.