The Los Angeles Lakers pulled out a gritty win in Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves to even the series at 1–1, but not everyone was sold on what they saw. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, never one to sugarcoat his takes, made it clear on air and on social media that he wasn’t walking away impressed by either team’s performance.
“Look, somebody had to win,” Windhorst said during the postgame segment on NBA Today. “But if this is the brand of basketball we’re going to get from both of these teams going forward, it’s going to be a long—and not in a good way—series.”
It was a blunt assessment, but also one that reflected the feeling of many fans watching the game. The Lakers escaped with a 98–94 win, but it wasn’t pretty. Turnovers, poor shooting stretches, and a general lack of offensive rhythm defined both sides for large portions of the game. It was a grind-it-out, physical playoff battle—but lacking the kind of execution you’d expect from two teams hoping to make a serious run.
From the Lakers’ perspective, it was a much-needed bounce back after dropping Game 1. LeBron James led the way with 26 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists, while Anthony Davis added 21 points and 13 boards. But even with their stars producing, L.A. struggled to pull away from a Timberwolves team that looked disjointed at times.
“They’re winning on talent, not execution,” Windhorst added. “They haven’t strung together a full 48 minutes yet, and the deeper you go into the playoffs, the more that matters.”
The Timberwolves, meanwhile, had their own issues. Anthony Edwards scored 29 but was inefficient, while Karl-Anthony Towns once again found himself in foul trouble and was largely ineffective down the stretch. Minnesota turned the ball over 17 times, many of them unforced errors, and shot just 41% from the field.
“Sometimes, both teams play hard and both teams play ugly,” Windhorst tweeted after the game. “That was tonight.”
Still, it wasn’t all doom and gloom. The game had its moments—like Austin Reaves’ late-game floater to seal the win and Jaden McDaniels’ tough perimeter defense on LeBron—but as a whole, it lacked the sharpness and energy that fans have come to expect from high-level playoff basketball.
For the Lakers, Windhorst’s criticism touches a nerve that’s been present all season. Despite having a championship core, they’ve often struggled with consistency, especially against younger, more athletic teams like the Wolves. Their reliance on LeBron and AD to carry them through stagnant offensive possessions is a recurring theme—and one that could eventually catch up to them.
As for Minnesota, the pressure is growing. After winning Game 1 in convincing fashion, the Wolves had a chance to steal two on the road and put the series firmly in their control. Instead, they let Game 2 slip away with sloppy execution and questionable shot selection. It’s the kind of loss that could come back to haunt them.
Windhorst’s comments, while harsh, might actually reflect a deeper truth about the Western Conference as a whole this season: plenty of talent, but a lot of inconsistency. Both the Lakers and Wolves have shown flashes of brilliance—but neither has strung together a complete, dominant performance yet.
Of course, it’s only Game 2. There’s time for adjustments, for breakout performances, and for narratives to flip. But with the series heading to Minnesota for Game 3, both teams will need to tighten things up—and fast.
As Windhorst closed his segment, he offered a final note of cautious optimism: “These teams are better than what we’ve seen. Let’s hope we get the version of them that plays like it.”
