The Los Angeles Lakers entered the playoffs with Luka Doncic now sharing the spotlight with LeBron James. A third-place finish and home-court advantage gave the team and its fans real hope, especially with how the roster had come together around those two.
With that kind of talent and momentum, most expected them to roll past the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. But things turned out differently. Minnesota controlled the series and only let the Lakers take one game.
A duo like Luka and LeBron carries massive expectations. The roster had its flaws, but nobody saw them going out like this. The disappointment is real, and fans are still trying to make sense of it. But LeBron didn’t sound rattled. He made it clear it was never just about him and Luka.
“It’s never just about me and Luka… it was always Minnesota vs. the Lakers… And I am at a point in my career now that I don’t lose sleep over that, like, ‘F–k, how did me and Luka lose?’ Well, there’s eight other guys on the floor.”
“Teams win championships. It’s never just about me and Luka… there’s 8 other guys on the floor.”
— LeBron on media narratives after losing to Timberwolves in first round
(via @mindthegamepod)pic.twitter.com/XAepr4JUFg
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 9, 2025
