LeBron James Gets Honest On His Mentality With Lakers Being Down 3-1 To Timberwolves

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. 

The Lakers were favored to beat the Timberwolves, but Minnesota has thoroughly outplayed Los Angeles thus far. 

James, the leading scorer in NBA history, led the Cleveland Cavaliers to the 2016 championship against the Golden State Warriors after being down 3-1. He told reporters after the Lakers lost Game 4 to the Timberwolves that he’s taking things one game at a time. 

“You don’t think about winning three,” James said. “You think about just getting the next one. That’s the only thing that matters because if not, obviously the offseason begins. So it’s all about Wednesday. That’s what’s important.”

James, 40, is averaging 26.3 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.0 steals and 2.3 blocks against the Timberwolves while shooting 50.7% from the field, 39.1% from 3 and 82.4% from the free-throw line. Those are incredible numbers for the oldest active player in the NBA. 

However, the Lakers lack the depth and size to compete with the Timberwolves. All signs point toward Minnesota ending this series in Game 5. 

James is a four-time champion, a four-time MVP and a four-time Finals MVP. He had never lost in the first round of the playoffs before joining the Lakers in 2018.

Los Angeles lost in the first round of the 2021 postseason and 2024 postseason and it looks like James will be going home in the first round again this year.