Luka Doncic stats tonight: Lakers star scores 37 in Game 1 loss vs Timberwolves (Apr. 19) | 2025 NBA playoffs
Luka Doncic's LA Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-95 in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on Saturday at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Doncic led the Lakers with 37 points on 12-for-22 shooting, including 5-for-10 from the 3-point line. He also contributed eight rebounds, an assist and two steals. Doncic also committed five turnovers and went 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.
The Lakers ended the season as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference with a 50-32 record. The Timberwolves (49-33) snagged the No. 6 spot via an impressive late-season surge, winning 17 of their last 21 games.
LA is 18-10 with Doncic in the lineup. In 28 games with the Lakers, Doncic averaged 28.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 7.5 assists and 1.6 steals. In 35.1 minutes per game, he shot 43.8%, including 37.9% on 3-pointers. He is 79.1% from the foul line.
On Saturday, Doncic played the entire opening quarter and had 16 points, three rebounds and a steal. He shot 5-for-10, including 3-for-6 from the 3-point line. He also went 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. The Lakers had a 28-21 lead at the end of the first period.
Doncic had 20 points, four boards, an assist, a steal and a turnover in the first half. In 20:23 minutes, he shot 5-for-11 (3-for-7 on 3-pointers). He went 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. Minnesota outscored LA 38-20 in the second quarter and led 59-48 at the break.
Doncic played the entire third quarter and scored 11 on 6-for-7 shooting (1-for-2 from downtown). He also had a rebound, a steal and two turnovers. He had 31 points after three quarters.
In the fourth quarter, Doncic played eight minutes and had six points and three rebounds. He logged 40:23 minutes before the starters were pulled out with about three minutes remaining in Minnesota's blowout win.
Luka Doncic's stats tonight
Luka Doncic comments on Lakers' title aspirations
Following his first NBA Finals appearance with the Dallas Mavericks last season, Luka Doncic said his current team, the LA Lakers, has what it takes to make a finals run and possibly win a title.
Doncic faced the media following the Lakers' practice on Wednesday. ESPN's Dave McMenamin shared the five-time NBA All-Star's comments on X.
"I think we have a great team," Doncic said. "We have guys that are willing to go to war. Everybody's staying together. The chemistry is high. I think we do, for sure, have a chance [to win the championship]."
Game 2 of LA's best-of-seven series against the Minnesota Timberwolves will be on Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET. Luka Doncic and the Lakers will then travel to Minneapolis for Games 3 and 4 on Friday and Sunday.