On the first play of the game, Luka Doncic hunted a mismatch on Rudy Gobert and got a foul as he drove to the hoop. This set the tone for a 15-7 Lakers lead in the opening minutes, as the Wolves looked unfocused to start. They committed four turnovers (Julius Randle had two) and allowed three offensive rebounds that the Lakers converted into eight points.

Doncic had nine points during that early run. He would finish the first quarter with 16 points as the Lakers led 28-21.

The Wolves got five early points from Jaden McDaniels, who hit his first corner three of the night, while Anthony Edwards got downhill for six points at the rim. He didn’t attempt a three in the quarter. James finished the quarter scoreless on only two shot attempts.

Doncic sat to open the second, and the Wolves took advantage.

McDaniels had seven points as the Wolves opened on a 12-2 run, forcing a Lakers timeout with 9:15 to play. Naz Reid also hit a three during the run. Reid was just heating up. The Wolves continued their run even when Doncic returned, as they blocked James twice at the rim on consecutive possessions (Reid then Gobert). That came between a pair of threes for Reid, who was up to 13 points as the Wolves led by 13, 47-34, forcing another Lakers timeout.

Edwards returned to the game for the Wolves and took just one shot, but the team’s supporting cast was carrying its weight. In all, the Wolves began the second quarter 26-6. The officials finally called the Lakers for their first foul of the night with 4:09 to play in the second, and Wolves coach Chris Finch held up both of his arms and appeared to smile in a sarcastic celebration of that.