When the UConn coach turned down a $70-million job offer to come to L.A., it might have been humiliating for the storied franchise but it ignited a rebirth.

The Los Angeles Lakers are favored in their first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but they can't take Anthony Edwards and company lightly. The Timberwolves (49-33) finished only one game behind the Lakers (50-32) in the regular season, although the latter team was 18-10 with Luka Doncic in the lineup.

The Los Angeles Lakers will begin their postseason with a tough series against 2024 Western Conference Finalists, the Minnesota Timberwolves.