Lakers Drop NBA Playoffs Hype Video Ahead of LeBron, Luka's Matchup vs. Wolves

The Los Angeles Lakers increased the anticipation for their first postseason with the tandem of Luka Dončić and LeBron James playing together by releasing a hype video prior to Game 1 of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

"Focused joy" is the theme of the video, which is described as putting in the extra work and going all out in games to win by any means necessary.

The Lakers-Wolves series might be the most anticipated first-round matchup this year, not just because interest is high in seeing what Dončić and James can do together in the playoffs.

Los Angeles has emerged as one of the biggest threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference. Those two teams split a back-to-back in Oklahoma City on April 6 and 8, with the Lakers handing the Thunder their worst loss of the season in the first game (126-99).

Getting to a potential Western Conference Finals matchup with the Thunder, though, will require the Lakers to first get by a Minnesota team that has the size and depth to cause them a lot of problems.

Anthony Edwards, whose 27.8 points per game in the playoffs is the ninth-highest mark in NBA history, is never one to shy away from a big moment. He was brilliant in last year's postseason, averaging 27.6 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in 16 starts.

The Lakers have two of the six highest-scoring players in postseason history. Dončić's 30.9 points per game trails only Michael Jordan for the most all-time.

If the Lakers are going to make a deep run, it will be largely on the strength of Dončić and James being an unstoppable duo.

Their first step on the playoff journey begins with Game 1 at Crypto.com Arena on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.