Key takeaways from the Lakers' opening night win over Timberwolves

In a gritty season opener, the Lakers built a commanding 19-point lead before fending off a late-game surge led by Anthony Edwards, ultimately securing their first opening-night victory since 2016.

Let’s break down the key takeaways from the Lakers' 110-103 win against the Timberwolves.

The Lakers offense

The Lakers front office was roundly criticized during the offseason for not making a splashy trade after their first-round playoff exit in five games to the Denver Nuggets. L.A.’s decision to prioritize continuity paid off for at least one night. 

Despite shooting a dismal 16.7% from beyond the arc on mostly open looks, L.A.’s offense clicked, tallying 22 assists while committing just seven turnovers against the Timberwolves, who boasted the league’s top-rated defense last season.

Last season, Lakers fans were frequently frustrated by the team’s tendency to shy away from the LeBron James-Anthony Davis pick-and-roll in crunch time despite it being one of the NBA’s most unstoppable offensive actions. However, in Tuesday's game L.A.’s superstar duo stuck with the pick-and-roll, executing it repeatedly to close out the contest and seal the win.

Minnesota’s spacing

After trading Karl-Anthony Towns — the best shooting big man in NBA history — for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, the Timberwolves’ new-look offense was a question mark heading into opening night. 

The intitial results were far from encouraging. 

With Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels and Randle on the floor, the team’s spacing was cramped, as the trio combined to shoot just 1-for-6 from beyond the arc. Minnesota’s starting lineup struggled against the Lakers, with the offense frequently reduced to Anthony Edwards operating in isolation and hoisting contested shots.

Lakers physicality

Last season, the Timberwolves prided themselves on building the league’s top defense through sheer toughness, with feisty perimeter D and elite rim protection. However, on opening night, it was the Lakers who imposed their will, out-hustling and out-muscling Minnesota across all areas of the court. L.A. was relentless in its physicality, and their effort was evident at all three levels.

Head coach JJ Redick, who discussed “crash rate” on his podcast last year — a term he used to describe a team’s aggressiveness in pursuing offensive rebounds — saw one of his teaching points come to life. The Lakers made a concerted effort to dominate the glass, securing 15 offensive rebounds, a stark contrast from 2023-24 when they ranked dead last in offensive rebound percentage at 19.9%.

Redick’s strategy to emphasize second-chance opportunities was pivotal for a team like the Lakers, whose three-point shooting remains inconsistent at best. It proved to be one of the critical factors in their opening night victory.

Julius Randle looked lost

Randle’s final stat line of 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists might seem respectable on paper, but his performance told a different story. He often appeared out of sync, hesitating on open midrange and three-point opportunities while missing key box-out assignments. The Lakers’ frontcourt consistently outworked him on the boards, and his body language was concerning—hanging his head and repeatedly frowning. It’s only one game, but the early signs of frustration were clear, and it’s something to monitor as the season progresses.

Anthony Davis

Davis was the player of the game, putting on a two-way clinic with 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocks. His energy was constant, and he played with the vibe of someone you can count on down the stretch.