📍 El Segundo, Calif. — April 17, 2025
As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for their playoff opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Luka Doncic is already embracing a familiar challenge: facing Rudy Gobert.
Reflecting on his emotional return to Dallas earlier this season — when he was honored with a tribute video featuring his game-winning three-pointer over Gobert in last year’s Western Conference finals — Doncic made it clear he welcomes the opportunity to battle the 7-foot-1 Defensive Player of the Year once again.
“Since I came to the league, I like to play pick-and-roll,” Doncic said Thursday. “I like to get a center on me.”
Lakers head coach JJ Redick reinforced Doncic’s mindset:
“He thinks there’s not a person in the world that can guard him. So he takes that matchup seriously — especially with a player like Gobert.”
Lakers Preparing with Extra Focus
Locked into the No. 3 seed, the Lakers spent the week fine-tuning their focus. Redick gathered the team at Cosm Los Angeles, an immersive theater, to watch the Warriors-Grizzlies play-in game — but not before delivering a heartfelt speech.
“JJ turned into a motivational speaker,” joked Austin Reaves. “I asked him how many times he rehearsed it. He said zero — he was speaking from the heart.”
Gabe Vincent echoed the message:
“It’s that time of year to take things to another level.”
The Lakers’ preparation reflects a clear mindset shift: businesslike, urgent, and fully locked in on the postseason challenge ahead.
Luka’s Playoff Mindset: “I Like Big Games”
Doncic, whose 30.9 points per game playoff average ranks second only to Michael Jordan, thrives under postseason pressure.
“I like big games,” Doncic said. “Playoffs are a fun time. Everybody plays 100%. It’s just fun to be out there.”
While Doncic has changed teams since last postseason, he remains keenly aware of Minnesota’s transformation as well — particularly the Wolves’ major midseason move trading Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo.
“They added two guys that can really play, and they have Ant [Anthony Edwards],” Doncic noted. “They have a lot of guys that can guard. They’re very interesting.”
Minnesota enters the playoffs as a dangerous No. 6 seed after closing the regular season on a 17-4 surge, finishing just one win behind Los Angeles.
Confidence in the Lakers’ Title Hopes
Despite the difficult matchup, Doncic expressed full belief in the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
“I think we have a great team. 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 1 between the Lakers and Timberwolves tips off Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC, setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most compelling first-round series of the 2025 playoffs.
