“You literally have one day” - LeBron James cautions LA Lakers against complacency as they secure play-in matchup against the Timberwolves
Following their 128-117 win over the Utah Jazz on Sunday, LeBron James and the LA Lakers finished seventh in the Western Conference. The Lakers are now locked into a play-in matchup against the eighth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves.
The winner will secure the seventh seed and a first-round playoff matchup against the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies.
However, neither team will have much time to prepare as their play-in game will take place on Tuesday after just one day of rest. Following Sunday’s win, James spoke about LA’s upcoming matchup against Minnesota, explaining that the Lakers will have to start prepping for the game immediately.
“We get Minnesota next, that’s all. We prep, we start playoff prep tomorrow for them and we get ready for Tuesday,” LeBron James said.
“Obviously it’s different because usually in the postseason you have multiple days to prep for a team. You literally have one day to prep and a half a day on game day that you can kind of lock in on everything that needs to be done.”
James added that the Lakers have an advantage as they don’t have to travel since the game will be played in LA. However, he cautioned that the Lakers can’t get too comfortable ahead of Tuesday’s matchup.
“For us, it’s just good that we don’t have to travel,” James said.
“We’ve traveled a lot lately. So, it’s good that we get to stay here, but that doesn’t make us... We shouldn’t be comfortable. We gotta stay on edge and get ready for the game.”
LeBron James on LA Lakers' defensive challenges against Minnesota
Later on in his interview, LeBron James was asked about the LA Lakers' specific defensive challenges when they take on the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Wolves have an imposing frontline with two star big men in Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. Minnesota also has multiple skilled wings, most notably star shooting guard Anthony Edwards.
James explained that every team offers a challenge, but also praised some of the Timberwolves' starters.
“It’s a challenge versus everybody and Minnesota is no different,” he said.
“When you got guys like Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards, those guys can both go for 40 against you, and put multiple pressure on you. They got a very cerebral solid point guard in Mike Conley, who’s been in multiple playoff games. So, we know what we’re getting ourselves into.
“So today, we should enjoy the rest of the day with the family, enjoy Easter. But tomorrow when we come together, we gotta be super-duper locked in and laser-sharp and focused on what needs to be done on Tuesday night.”
LA (43-39, seventh in the West) is 1-2 against Minnesota (42-40, eighth in the West) this season. However, the Lakers won their most recent game against the Timberwolves 123-111 on March 31.
Also read: Can the LA Lakers make it into 2023 NBA playoffs? Looking at chances of the team to make it past play-in tournament