As LeBron James exited the Lakers locker room dressed in casual black attire after Game 2 of their playoff series against the Timberwolves, a team staff member jokingly noted his relaxed look compared to usual. James smiled in response, humorously mentioning he expected to feel drained after the game, thus needed to be comfortable.

He knew to recover from their initial 0-1 deficit, every bit of his energy would be crucial against the Timberwolves’ towering front line, featuring Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Julius Randle, as the Lakers aimed to match their physical intensity.

The Lakers bounced back from their Game 1 defeat, leading by as many as 22 points en route to a 94-85 victory, equalizing the series at 1-1. This shift was apparent early on, as Lakers’ coach JJ Redick, previously stern, exhibited a more relaxed demeanor in the media before Game 2, contrasting his serious tone before Game 1.

Feeling the prior week was wasted, Redick emphasized the importance of practice this time. “Best practice we’ve had in months,” he stated, with James adding it was, “One of the best practices we’ve had all year.”

James also teased his podcast episode, expressing how much he cherishes the playoffs, viewing them as an addictive experience that fuels his competitive spirit derived from a belief in their winning potential.

From the starting whistle, things were different. The Lakers were not intimidated by the Timberwolves’ physical play; instead, they took the initiative. Their cohesive strategy effectively contained the opposition, restricting the Timberwolves to a poor 5-for-25 from the three-point line after allowing them a historic 21-for-42 in Game 1.

James emphasized the importance of staying calm during adversity, stating, “It doesn’t matter if you lose by 100 or by 1; they both hurt. You can’t sleep. So, it’s about how you keep your balance and adapt.”

Meanwhile, Reaves highlighted the game’s personal stakes, stating, “It goes back to the other night when we basically got punked… we had to compete every single possession.”

Everyone played their part in preventing a repeat of their Game 1 struggles. Rui Hachimura returned from a first-quarter injury with a face mask, continuing to fight hard on the court while JJ Redick regained control upon seeing the team’s lead shrink, urging his players to snap out of their mild disarray.

In the end, with a dynamic performance, including a critical steal by James in the closing moments, the Lakers triumphed, solidifying their determination to reclaim their competitive edge in the playoff series.