It was a forgettable night for the Los Angeles Lakers as they opened their playoff run with a crushing 117-95 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
While the team struggled across the board, one standout moment came not from the stat sheet-but from the sneakers.
Veteran superstar LeBron James, appearing in his record 288th playoff game, posted only 19 points, five rebounds, and three assists-well below his usual postseason production. At 40 years old, the four-time champion found little rhythm as the Timberwolves outshot and out-hustled the Lakers, knocking down 21 threes on 50% shooting from deep.
First-time playoff participant Bronny James didn’t fare much better statistically. The 20-year-old guard played just three minutes, missing both of his three-point attempts. But Bronny stole the spotlight in a different way-with a powerful nod to his father’s legacy.
A throwback that stole the spotlight
Though his debut didn’t light up the scoreboard, Bronny’s footwear made waves. He laced up the Nike Air Zoom Generation “Debut”-the same model LeBron wore for his first playoff appearance back in 2006. It was a touching full-circle moment for father and son, linking their careers through a shared sneaker legacy.
At 20 years old himself, Bronny paid homage to a time when his dad-also just 20-recorded a playoff triple-double of 32 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists.
However, sentiment couldn’t soften the blow of a disappointing team performance. Critics like Magic Johnson didn’t hold back, blasting the Lakers’ lack of physicality and poor offensive execution. Head coach JJ Redick admitted the team wasn’t prepared to match Minnesota’s energy or intensity.
The Lakers now face an uphill battle in the best-of-seven series. With Game 2 looming, LeBron and Bronny will look to bounce back-on the scoreboard, not just in style.
If not, Bronny’s tribute sneakers may end up being one of the few memorable highlights of the Lakers’ short-lived playoff run.
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