The Los Angeles Lakers got crushed by the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the first-round of the NBA Playoffs on Saturday night.

Following the 117-95 loss in front of a home crowd at Crypto.com Arena, James, who scored 19 points while shooting 8-of-18 from the field, along with five rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals, promised they’d come back stronger in Game 2.

“You know when you’re playing a Minnesota team, you gotta be physical. That’s what they bring to the table. So maybe it took us one playoff game to now get a feel for it and now what type of intensity, the type of physicality, that’s going to be brought to the game. 

“But that’s just the way they play. So we should be more than prepared for that on Tuesday night.”

Lakers forward LeBron James defended by Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

As James and Co. shake off the Game 1 loss, the 40-year-old took a moment to address rapper Kevin Gates’ bizarre criticism of the 4-time NBA champion’s wife, Savannah James.

While he’s “one of the greatest players to ever play the game,” Gates said in an Instagram video on April 19, he still wouldn’t want to the trade places with 21-time All-Star. Why?

“Because I don’t like the way Savannah look at LeBron,” Gates said. “I like the way them white women look at LeBron. Like, (as) soon as he walk out there, they just… be geeked out.”

On April 20, James shared a strong message to Savannah, whom he married in 2013.

He posted two photos of Savannah looking at him with a huge smile from Saturday’s game and wrote, “‘Kings don’t concern themselves with the opinions of peasants.’ Where to next Queen?!?! Let’s get it! 👸🏾🖤♾️.”

One fan commented, “I already knew he wasn’t gonna let that [expletive] slide.” Another person wrote, “bruh heard Kevin gates.” One man added, “Bron called Kevin gates a peasant if yall ain’t know who he referring too🤣🤣🤣.” 

Singer Victoria Monet wrote, “🔥 and that’s that on that.”