The Los Angeles Lakers are getting set to begin their opening-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, and Magic Johnson has one big concern about his former team heading into the matchup. That concern is named Anthony Edwards.
Johnson took to social media on Thursday night to share some of his thoughts on the 3-seed Lakers drawing the 6-seed Timberwolves in the first round. Magic said he is worried about the matchup problem that Edwards presents.
“I’m scared for my Lakers because the game’s most exciting player, superstar Anthony Edwards, is a matchup problem,” Johnson wrote on X.
The Hall of Fame point guard is still picking the Lakers to win the series in six games, however.
“If the Timberwolves beat my Lakers it’s because Naz Reid and Donte DiVenczo both have a big series. I’m picking my Lakers in 6, led by superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic,” Johnson added. “Austin Reaves will be the third man in the ring for the Lakers and he has to have a big series as well as Rui Hachimara. Rui has to come up big for the Lakers to win.”
If the Timberwolves beat my Lakers it’s because Naz Reid and Donte DiVenczo both have a big series. I’m picking my Lakers in 6, led by superstars LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Austin Reaves will be the third man in the ring for the Lakers and he has to have a big series as well…
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 18, 2025
Edwards is a matchup problem for just about everyone, so Johnson was mostly stating the obvious. The Lakers will probably try to throw as many looks as possible at Edwards and will need a big series defensively from Dorian Finney-Smith.
The Lakers won just one more regular-season game than the T-Wolves despite finishing three spots better than them in the Western Conference standings. L.A. obviously has elite scorers of their own in LeBron James and Luka Doncic, but trying to slow down Edwards will be their most difficult task.
Johnson has a history of sharing his unfiltered thoughts on the Lakers via social media. It goes without saying that he will not be happy if his team suffers a first-round exit.
