The Minnesota Timberwolves took the lead over the LA Lakers in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs. The Wolves took the home-field advantage from the Californians after a convincing 117:95 win.

Jaden McDaniels led the winners with 25 points, missing only two of his 13 shots in the game. He added 9 rebounds and 2 assists. Naz Reid added 23 points off the bench, and Anthony Edwards scored 22, coming close to a triple-double - 8 rebounds and 9 assists. Julius Randle was helpful with 16 points. The Timberwolves had a great shooting day, finishing with a 50% success rate from the three-point range.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic finished with 37 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist and 2 steals in his first playoff game for the team since being traded from the Dallas Mavericks. LeBron James finished with 19 points and Austin Reeves added 16, but none of their other teammates reached the 10-point mark.

Game 2 of the series is back in the LA arena on Tuesday night.

In other games, the Indiana Pacers beat the Milwaukee Bucks 117:98 at home. The Denver Nuggets achieved a dramatic home victory over the LA Clippers 112:110 in overtime and the New York Knicks went on a 21-0 run against the Detroit Pistons to pull ahead after a 123:112 victory at Madison Square Garden. | BGNES