After a season of strategic moves and calculated risks, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves with a big advantage heading into their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
When the Lakers traded for Luka Doncic, they knew they were getting a superstar.
What they couldn’t have anticipated was how valuable Doncic’s experience against certain opponents would become in preparation for the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
With a Lakers-Timberwolves first-round matchup, Doncic’s impressive history against Minnesota is brought into sharp focus.
During his time with the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic dominated the Timberwolves in the playoffs, averaging 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 8.2 assists and 2.2 steals per game, via StatMuse.
Luka vs Minnesota in the playoffs:
32.4 PPG
9.6 RPG
8.2 APG
2.2 SPG
43.4 3P%How many will he average this postseason? pic.twitter.com/JAbLaxahYK
— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 15, 2025
Perhaps most impressively, he shot 43.4 percent from 3-point range in those games.
This represents a pattern of excellence that could prove crucial in the upcoming series.
Doncic’s ability to read Minnesota’s defensive schemes and exploit its weaknesses has been consistent throughout his career.
He now brings this institutional knowledge to a Lakers team hungry for playoff success.
Los Angeles had plenty of opportunities to study Minnesota this season, from preseason encounters to an opening night battle.
The regular season series ended in a draw, though it’s worth noting that only one of those four games featured Doncic in a Lakers uniform.
That final contest ended with a convincing Lakers victory, potentially foreshadowing what’s to come.
NEXT: Analyst Reveals LeBron James’ ‘Insane Accomplishment’ After Regular Season
