The Minnesota Timberwolves are ready to embark on a major challenge against the LA Lakers.
Although they successfully evaded the risky Play-In Tournament, the Minnesota Timberwolves suddenly find themselves in the lion’s den, about to square off against one of the heavy favorites to win the NBA Championship.
The reward for being the No. 6 team of the Western Conference is a match-up with the third seed Los Angeles Lakers for the opening round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The Timberwolves are slated to commence their series face-off on April 19 in the Crypto.com Arena, and NBA fans anticipate an intense, postseason action from both powerhouse teams.
Patrick Beverley names T-Wolves star positioned for a breakout series vs. Lakers
As the Lakers parade two of the best players in the world in Luka Doncic and LeBron James, the Timberwolves will undoubtedly have their hands full in order to prevail from the best-of-seven matchup.
There is no absolute question that Minnesota will lean towards the leadership of budding superstar Anthony Edwards, who is already embracing the underdog scenario, and excited to take on who he believes is the “greatest player to ever play basketball” in James.
While the likes of Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Naz Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo will be there to supply the primary support for Edwards, Patrick Beverley sees another Timberwolves star being positioned for a breakout series against the Lakers.
In the latest episode of his The Pat Bev Podcast, the former NBA veteran named Jaden McDaniels as a player to watch who might deliver a game-changing break for the thrilling first-round set between the Lakers and the T-Wolves.
“I think this could be a series that could go either way, I think this could be a coming out party for Jaden McDaniels,” he said. “I know we don’t talk about him a lot.
“But I think this gonna be a coming out party for him.”
Minnesota will heavily rely on McDaniels
The T-Wolves’ ace wing has also been applauded by head coach Chris Finch as their breakout star. Jaden McDaniels has a big responsibility against the Lakers at the defensive end.
Numbers might not completely show it as he averaged just 10.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 steals in four games against the Lakers in their 2024-25 regular season series, but McDaniels will definitely be the Timberwolves’ X-factor as the responsibility falls in his hands in limiting the production of two of the Lakers’ biggest stars.
Beverley also has hopes Julius Randle will come out of the playoff match-ups with his reputation enhanced.
“If this series goes right, Julius Randle can get his name straight again. There was a lot of talk on Julius Randle on this Minnesota team, he’s proven every time he plays, they win.”
