The Los Angeles Lakers' third-place finish will face Minnesota's sixth-place Timberwolves in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs.
Los Angeles waited until the last minute, as the Western Conference’s rankings took the last second of the normal season to formally classify.
The series showed off a fascinating showdown of two teams that were completely different from last season. Timberwolves effectively switched Karl-Anthony Towns to Julius Randle, while the Lakers moved from Anthony Davis to Anthony Davis in favor of Luka Doncic.
Minnesota hopes to return to the Western Conference Finals after arriving there last year. The Lakers will dream of the championship with their new look team. It's a first round battle with the name and has a final level battle.
Here's everything you need to know so you won't miss any action:
How to watch the Lakers and the Timberwolves
- Game 1: Saturday, April 19, 8:30 ET. Watch on ABC.
- Game 2: Tuesday, April 22, 10:00 pm ET. Watch on TNT.
- Game 3: Friday, April 25, 9:30 ET. Watch on ESPN.
- Game 4: Sunday, April 27, 3:30 pm ET. Watch on ABC.
- Game 5 (if necessary): Wednesday, April 30. Time and TV network TBD.
- Game 6 (if necessary): Friday, May 2. Time and TV network TBD.
- Game 7 (if necessary): Sunday, May 4. Time and TV network TBD.
Series format/stent
Each series follows the format of 2-2-1-1-1. This means that teams with home advantage will host the first two games, as well as Games 5 and 7 (if necessary). Weaker seeds will host games 3, 4 and 6 (if necessary).
The Lakers winners will face the Houston No. 2 Rockets and No. 7 Golden State Warriors winners.
Lakers and Timberwolves season series
The season series was two games, although the Lakers did play one game with Doncic.
- October 22: The Lakers won 110-103 in Los Angeles.
- December 2: Minnesota Wolves won, 109-80.
- December 13: Minnesota's Wolves won 97-87.
- February 27: The Lakers won 111-102 in Los Angeles.
