The Los Angeles Lakers are gearing up for their second game of the 2025-26 regular season. After losing to the Golden State Warriors in their season opener, they face the team that eliminated them from last year’s playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves.
L.A. was favored heading into that first round matchup, but it was clear almost immediately that they were outmatched by the bigger, more athletic and more physical Timberwolves. L.A. lost in five, souring an end to head coach JJ Redick’s successful first season with the Lakers.
Both teams made slight changes to their roster in the offseason, but their rematch on Friday night includes nearly all of the major players from that series.