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4mo ago

Timberwolves Eliminate Lakers with Gobert's Dominant Game 5 Performance

Minnesota advances to the Western Conference semifinals after a decisive 4-1 series win, while Los Angeles faces roster questions and uncertainty over LeBron James' future.

Apr 30, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) gets the ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) during the first half in game five of first round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
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LeBron James and the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs.
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Overview

  • Rudy Gobert led Minnesota with a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds, exposing the Lakers' lack of interior size and rebounding throughout the series.
  • The Timberwolves outrebounded the Lakers 54-37 in Game 5, securing a 103-96 win and advancing to face either Golden State or Houston in the next round.
  • LeBron James and Luka Dončić both returned to play after sustaining injuries in Game 5 but could not overcome Minnesota's depth and defensive dominance.
  • The Lakers' small-ball approach, necessitated by their failure to acquire a true center, proved costly as they were consistently overmatched in the paint.
  • LeBron James was noncommittal about his playing future after the loss, leaving the Lakers with significant offseason decisions to address their roster deficiencies.