Timberwolves Eliminate Lakers in Game 5: Gobert Dominates with 27 Points and 24 Rebounds

Los Angeles, CA. (WE) —The 2025 NBA Playoffs saw a pivotal Western Conference showdown come to a close on Wednesday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 at Crypto.com Arena in Game 5 of their first-round series. With the victory, the Timberwolves clinched the series 4-1 and advanced to the second round for the second time in three years.

Minnesota’s win was headlined by a dominant performance from Rudy Gobert, who silenced his critics with a career-best playoff showing: 27 points and 24 rebounds. After being virtually invisible offensively throughout the first four games (14 total points), Gobert took full advantage of the Lakers’ small-ball strategy, overwhelming them in the paint and providing constant second-chance opportunities.

“He was unbelievable tonight,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch. “We knew if we kept trusting him and getting him involved, his impact would eventually come through. This was his night.”

First Half: Gobert Dominates, Lakers Go Small

The Lakers made a lineup change to start Game 5, inserting Dorian Finney-Smith over Jaxson Hayes, attempting to speed up the game and increase spacing. But it backfired spectacularly. With no true center to contend with him, Gobert went to work early and often, tallying 15 points and eight rebounds in the first half alone.

Minnesota’s early execution was crisp. Anthony Edwards, despite not being at his scoring best, orchestrated the offense with precision—racking up 10 points, six rebounds, and five assists by halftime. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ stars got off to a slow start. LeBron James and Luka Dončić went just 1-for-8 in the first quarter as the Wolves took a 31-22 lead.

The Lakers closed the first half on a somewhat positive note, trailing only 59-49 after two quarters, despite Dončić leaving late in the second quarter with an apparent back injury following a hard foul.

Luka Returns, Lakers Rally in the Third

Dončić’s return to start the second half ignited the Lakers. Clearly not 100%, he still managed to orchestrate a run that cut the 10-point halftime deficit to just one. He scored, got to the line, and fed teammates like Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura, giving L.A. a brief third-quarter lead.

But every time the Lakers surged, Gobert was there to halt the momentum. His work on the glass, particularly offensive rebounds, led to multiple critical second-chance points. Heading into the final quarter, the Wolves held a razor-thin 81-80 lead.

Edwards, Defense Seal It Late

While Gobert set the tone, it was Edwards who closed the game. He hit a crucial mid-range jumper with under three minutes left and delivered a key assist to Jaden McDaniels for a dunk that stretched Minnesota’s lead to five. The Wolves clamped down defensively, forcing late turnovers and contesting every shot the Lakers took in the final minutes.

LeBron James finished with 26 points, seven rebounds, and six assists, but was clearly exhausted, having played heavy minutes throughout the second half. Dončić posted 21 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists despite his back issue. However, the duo’s supporting cast once again came up short. Reaves added 14 points, but Finney-Smith and Hachimura struggled to hit open shots down the stretch.

“It hurts,” said Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who completed his first season in charge. “We had big expectations. Our guys fought, but we just didn’t execute well enough over five games to deserve to move on.”

Timberwolves Advance, Await Rockets-Warriors Winner

With the series win, Minnesota now awaits the outcome of the first-round clash between the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets. That series is currently tied 2-2, with Game 5 scheduled for Thursday night.

This playoff run marks a major step forward for the Timberwolves, who entered the postseason as the No. 6 seed after trading former franchise cornerstone Karl-Anthony Towns before the season. The move, heavily criticized at the time, now appears to have paid off.

“People doubted us,” Edwards said postgame. “They didn’t think we could be this good without KAT. But we believe in each other. We defend, we rebound, and we play together. That’s Timberwolves basketball.“

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Lakers Face Offseason Questions

The Lakers, meanwhile, must now enter an offseason filled with uncertainty. Their pairing of LeBron and Dončić was supposed to yield a deep playoff run, especially after finishing as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Instead, they’re heading home after just five games.

James will be 41 before next season, and while his level of play remains elite, the window is clearly closing. Dončić’s health and fit within the system will be scrutinized, especially after appearing visibly frustrated at times throughout the series.

There are also salary cap considerations. Rob Pelinka, Lakers VP of Basketball Operations and GM, must decide how to approach free agency and potential trades. Players like Reaves and Hachimura are under contract, but complementary pieces will need to be reevaluated.

“We’ve got to be honest with ourselves,” James said. “We weren’t good enough. We need to look in the mirror, top to bottom. I love this group, but if we want to win it all, we need to be better.”

Series Recap: How the Wolves Took Control

• Game 1: Timberwolves 112, Lakers 107 – Edwards drops 35, Minnesota steals Game 1 in L.A.
• Game 2: Lakers 114, Timberwolves 102 – LeBron and Dončić combine for 61 in bounce-back win.
• Game 3: Timberwolves 108, Lakers 104 – Gobert and Naz Reid dominate interior.
• Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113 – Edwards scores 43, Reaves misses buzzer-beater.
• Game 5: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96 – Gobert shines, Wolves close series.

Looking Ahead

For Minnesota, the path forward is daunting but promising. They will likely face a seasoned Warriors team or an explosive Rockets squad in the second round. But if Gobert can continue this level of production, and Edwards continues to evolve as a two-way superstar, they have every reason to believe they can make a run to the Western Conference Finals.

The Timberwolves have also established themselves as one of the NBA’s best defensive teams, and in the playoffs, that identity becomes even more critical. With role players like Mike Conley, McDaniels, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepping up when needed, Minnesota looks deeper and more resilient than ever.

As for the Lakers, the questions are many and the answers are uncertain. Can this version of the team work with tweaks? Or is it time to rethink the direction entirely? Either way, Los Angeles faces a critical summer.

Final Box Score Highlights:

• Minnesota Timberwolves: Gobert 27 pts, 24 reb; Edwards 19 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast; Conley 13 pts
• Los Angeles Lakers: James 26 pts, 7 reb, 6 ast; Dončić 21 pts, 8 reb, 7 ast; Reaves 14 pts

The Timberwolves’ resilience and tactical discipline proved too much over five games, and their ability to impose their style—anchored by defense, size, and clutch execution—sends them to the next stage of the postseason, while the Lakers return to the drawing board.