NBA Playoffs 2025: Lakers Coach JJ Redick Points to Internal Struggles After Lopsided Game 1 Defeat to Timberwolves

Following a blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Los Angeles Lakers head coach JJ Redick attributed the team’s poor performance to deeper organizational problems rather than just on-court execution.

Disorganized and Outpaced: Lakers Struggle in Game 1 as JJ Redick Points to Deeper Issues Beyond the Scoreboard

The 2025 NBA Playoffs didn’t begin the way the Los Angeles Lakers had hoped. What was expected to be a high-energy opening game at home turned into a one-sided rout, as the Minnesota Timberwolves marched into Crypto.com Arena and dismantled the Lakers 117-95 in Game 1 of their first-round series. The loss wasn’t just about missed shots or defensive lapses — it exposed deeper organizational flaws that head coach JJ Redick didn’t hesitate to call out.

From the jump, Minnesota played with purpose, fluidity, and aggression. The Timberwolves set the tone early and never looked back, carving up the Lakers with crisp ball movement and deadly perimeter shooting. They buried 21 three-pointers — a new franchise postseason record — and shot an efficient 50% from deep. Jaden McDaniels was near-perfect, going 11-of-13 for 25 points, while rising star Anthony Edwards nearly posted a triple-double with 22 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds.

On the other side, the Lakers looked sluggish, disjointed, and mentally unprepared — a stark contrast to the intensity that playoff basketball demands. JJ Redick, in his first playoff series as head coach, didn’t sugarcoat the team’s shortcomings during his media availability on Monday.

“We have to do a lot of things better,” Redick admitted, “and it starts with playing harder and being more organized.”

He went on to describe a troubling pattern that’s plagued the team: a lack of offensive structure and cohesion. “Our early offense — like any team’s — follows basic principles. But it’s remarkable how many possessions we had three or four guys standing near half court with 15 seconds left on the shot clock. Just bunched up, doing nothing. That’s not how you win games. That’s not being organized.”

His comments marked a noticeable shift from his initial postgame remarks on Saturday, when he had pointed to the team’s physical readiness — or lack thereof — as the issue. “The communication was great,” Redick had said then. “I’m not sure physically we were ready, if that makes sense. When [Minnesota] started playing with force and physicality, we didn’t respond.”

Whether it’s physical conditioning, mental focus, or tactical breakdowns, the problems seem multifaceted — and glaring.

Despite the disappointing team effort, Luka Dončić delivered a standout individual performance. The superstar guard lit up the Timberwolves for 37 points, including 16 in the first quarter alone, and added eight rebounds while shooting 5-of-10 from three. But Dončić’s brilliance couldn’t mask the Lakers’ systemic issues. The team mustered only 15 assists on the night — with just one coming from Dončić — suggesting a breakdown in ball movement and offensive flow.

LeBron James, often the heartbeat of the Lakers in the postseason, was unusually quiet. He didn’t register a single point until midway through the second quarter and finished well below his usual playoff standards. Meanwhile, Austin Reaves struggled to find his rhythm, connecting on just 5 of his 13 shot attempts.

Looking ahead to Game 2, scheduled for Tuesday night in Los Angeles, the pressure is squarely on the Lakers to respond. Falling into a 0-2 hole before the series shifts to Minneapolis would be a dangerous proposition, especially against a Timberwolves squad that’s clearly firing on all cylinders.

Redick, ever the competitor, is trying to rally the troops. He described Monday’s practice as “probably our best in months,” adding that the team “worked up a good lather.” Whether that intensity carries over into Game 2 remains to be seen.

The Lakers are no strangers to adversity, but with expectations high and the margin for error razor-thin, this series may ultimately hinge on their ability to regroup, refocus, and rediscover their identity — fast. If not, they risk a swift and disappointing exit that would echo the frustration of last season’s early playoff departure.

One thing is certain: Tuesday’s matchup won’t just be about Xs and Os — it’ll be a test of will, leadership, and whether the Lakers truly believe they belong on the postseason stage.