The Timberwolves made a bold statement in Game 1 against the Lakers. Jaden McDaniels was the star of the show, scoring 25 points and grabbing nine rebounds. He was a key player in the Timberwolves' defense, which looked as strong as it did last season. McDaniels' performance was impressive, but he didn't seem too excited about it. He sat at the press conference with his hoodie pulled tight over his head, looking like he had just lost his best friend. No one would have guessed that he had just had the game of his life.

The Timberwolves led by as many as 27 points, but they didn't panic when the Lakers cut the deficit to 12 points early in the fourth quarter. They played like a team that knew they were better than the Lakers. McDaniels hit all three of his 3-pointers and was a team-best plus-27 in 33 minutes. He was outstanding on both ends of the floor, and the Wolves need that type of effort from him. The Lakers wanted McDaniels to beat them, and that's just what he did. He had the perfect mix of jumpers and strong drives to the basket against a weak Lakers interior defense.

The Timberwolves played like a team that knew it was bigger, stronger, and more talented from top to bottom. They set a playoff franchise record with 21 made 3s in 42 attempts, outscored the Lakers 44-32 in the paint, and 25-6 in transition. The Lakers' bench was outscored by the Wolves' bench 43-13. The Timberwolves played harder and tougher than the Lakers all night. They left the game with cramps and injuries, but they didn't let it affect their performance. They were, as a group, following McDaniels' lead. They played like a team that knew it was better than the Lakers. They played like a team that knew it could win.

The Timberwolves have a lot of room for improvement. They shot the lights out, but they missed a lot of easy layups. They had seven turnovers in 35 minutes. They were not whistled for a foul until just over four minutes left in the first half. They have a lot of work to do, but they are a team that knows how to prepare. They are at their best when they have time to prepare, look over game film, and work on strategy and execution in practice. They are a team that knows how to win.

The Lakers will come up with plenty of adjustments as they try to even the series. They will be better in Game 2 on Tuesday, but the Wolves believe they have a lot of room for improvement as well. They played harder and tougher than the Lakers all night. They left the game with cramps and injuries, but they didn't let it affect their performance. They were, as a group, following McDaniels' lead. They played like a team that knew it was better than the Lakers. They played like a team that knew it could win.

Timberwolves Stun Lakers with Cold-Blooded Performance

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