Magic Johnson takes swipe at Lakers' game plan in playoff loss to T'Wolves

Paul Pierce reacts to Luka Dončić’s ejection against the Oklahoma City Thunder and questions whether his ongoing antics could become a problem for the Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson criticized the team’s fourth-quarter game plan as they fell behind 3-1 in their opening round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Lakers coach J.J. Redick was seemingly inspired by the 14-0 run to start the third quarter and kept the lineup – LeBron James, Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Dorian Finney-Smith – on the floor for the rest of the game.

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Los Angeles Lakers head coach J.J. Redick reacts to his team losing the lead to the Minnesota Timberwolves during the NBA Playoffs at Target Center in Minneapolis on April 27, 2025. (Matt Blewett-Imagn Images)

Fatigue seemed to set in late in the game. Doncic was getting over a stomach ailment as he and James played 46 minutes each. James was held scoreless in the fourth quarter. The Lakers failed to keep the T’Wolves at bay in the fourth quarter despite having a lead.

Minnesota won the game, 116-113. They’ve outscored the Lakers 105-69 in the fourth quarter over the course of the series.

Johnson expressed his dismay on X.

"I don’t know if it smart to play LeBron and Luka the entire second half after only having one day of rest between Games 3 and 4. When we needed LeBron to take over in the fourth quarter he couldn’t – he scored 0 points in the fourth," Johnson wrote.

"I’m just sick to my stomach that the Lakers lost this game after being in control most of the 2nd half."

Magic Johnson watches the Clemson Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks in the semifinals of the NCAA