The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a tough defeat at the hands of the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, giving up their lead in the first-round playoff series. The loss at Target Center means Los Angeles now trails 2-1 and can’t afford to slip up heading into a crucial Game 4 on Sunday.
Despite a memorable performance from four-time MVP LeBron James, the Lakers could not fend off a late charge from the Timberwolves. They trailed by just one point with under six minutes left, but some strong shooting helped Minnesota pull away for a 116-104 win.
A 2-1 deficit isn’t impossible to overcome, but history hasn’t been on the Lakers’ side in these situations.
The Lakers Haven’t Won a Playoff Series Trailing 2-1 Over the Last 20 Years
Over their 79-year history, the Lakers have established themselves as one of the NBA‘s most successful franchises. Only the Boston Celtics have won more championships than the Lakers, and Los Angeles has reached the NBA finals eight times since 2000, winning titles on six occasions.
However, the odds seem stacked this year against JJ Redick’s team. Since 2005, the Lakers have never won a playoff series when they trailed 2-1. The organization has a 0-3 record when trailing after three games.
the Lakers are 0-3 in the past 20 years when trailing 2-1 in a series đź‘€
Can they overcome the deficit and still win the series? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/r8OFsJXBkZ
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 26, 2025
Against the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2007 playoffs, the Lakers lost the series’ first two games before pulling off a 95-89 win in game three. Despite some strong performances from Kobe Bryant, they would lose the series 4-1.
In the 2008 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics jumped out to a two-game lead in the series. Boston would wrap up the series in six games, blowing out the Lakers 131-92 in the championship’s final game.
Finally, the Lakers trailed the OKC Thunder 2-1 in the 2012 Western Conference semifinals and could not work their way back into the series, eventually losing 4-1.
James Continues To Shatter NBA Playoff Records
It would be unfair to blame James for Friday’s loss. The 21-time All-Star was outstanding on the night, finishing with a game-high 38 points on 13-21 shooting. James also led the Lakers with 10 rebounds and chipped in with four assists, two steals, and two blocks.
At 40, James continues to barrel his way through NBA playoff records. On Friday, the Ohio native recorded the most points by a 40-year-old in a playoff game. He also logged 22 points in the first half, making this the 100th time in his career that he has recorded 20 or more points in a half during a playoff game.
Tonight is the 100th time LeBron James has had a 20-point half in a playoff game. It's his 290th career playoff game – the most in NBA history. He's never missed a playoff game since he first made the postseason with Cleveland in 2006.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 26, 2025
James has played in a record 290 playoff games over his 22-year career and doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.