Gobert Dominates as Lakers’ Season Ends Early Again
The Los Angeles Lakers’ playoff hopes came to a crashing halt Wednesday night, as the Minnesota Timberwolves closed out their first-round series with a 103-96 victory in Game 5. With the win, the Timberwolves took the series 4-1 and officially eliminated the Lakers from the postseason for the second consecutive year.
Rudy Gobert was the star of the night, notching playoff career-highs with 27 points and 24 rebounds. His dominant presence in the paint exposed the Lakers’ decision to go small, ultimately making the difference in a tightly contested game.
Lakers Can’t Contain Minnesota’s Momentum
The Lakers were coming off two narrow losses in Minnesota and desperately needed to force a Game 6. But the Timberwolves, energized by their home crowd, came out strong. They jumped to a 14-point lead in the first quarter, putting the pressure on LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and company.
Though the Lakers fought back and even took a lead late in the third quarter, they couldn’t regain control. Poor shooting, missed opportunities, and questionable coaching decisions proved too much to overcome.
Doncic, James Battle Through Injuries
Luka Doncic led the Lakers with 28 points and nine assists, while LeBron James added 22 points. But both superstars dealt with injury scares that impacted their effectiveness.
Doncic briefly exited the game right before halftime after taking a hard fall on his knees. He returned for the second half wearing a bulky lower-back brace, which he later removed. Meanwhile, James was seen limping during the fourth quarter after landing awkwardly but returned a few plays later.
Despite their efforts, the Lakers offense couldn’t find a rhythm late in the game.
Gobert Punishes Lakers’ Small Lineup
One of the key storylines from Game 5 was head coach JJ Redick’s decision to stick with a small-ball lineup, starting Dorian Finney-Smith in place of Jaxson Hayes. That meant leaving Rudy Gobert virtually unchecked in the post—and the Timberwolves big man took full advantage.
Gobert scored more points in Game 5 than he had in the first four games combined. He dominated the boards, cleaned up missed shots, and bullied the Lakers in the paint.
The Wolves shot just 7-for-47 from three-point range, including a brutal stretch of 17 straight misses. Yet Gobert’s interior presence kept them ahead when outside shots weren’t falling.
Poor Shooting Sinks Lakers
Even with Minnesota struggling from beyond the arc, the Lakers failed to capitalize. Down the stretch, Los Angeles went over three and a half minutes without scoring, missing five straight shots at one point in the fourth quarter.
Rui Hachimura added 23 points and tried to spark a comeback, but the rest of the team struggled. The Lakers simply couldn’t execute in the final minutes, a trend that has haunted them throughout the series.
Redick Defends Controversial Coaching Decisions
Head coach JJ Redick faced criticism for his lack of substitutions in Game 4, when he played the same five players for the entire second half. Heading into Game 5, he defended that strategy and kept Finney-Smith in the starting lineup.
When questioned by reporters, Redick responded with frustration, insisting his lineup gave the team the best chance to win. Unfortunately, the results didn’t back him up, and fans are already questioning his future as the head coach.
Timberwolves Make Franchise History
With the win, Minnesota advanced to the second round for the second straight year—a first in franchise history. The Timberwolves are gaining confidence with each game and are now waiting to face the winner of the Golden State vs. Houston series.
Anthony Edwards chipped in 15 points and 11 rebounds and continued to show poise well beyond his years. Julius Randle also added 23 points, giving the Timberwolves a balanced scoring attack that proved too much for the Lakers.
What’s Next for the Lakers?
Another early playoff exit means more offseason questions for Los Angeles. The blockbuster midseason trade that brought Luka Doncic to L.A. didn’t yield the deep playoff run fans were hoping for. Now, the front office must decide how to build around James, who turns 41 next season, and Doncic, who is entering his prime.
With limited cap space and a mixed track record in recent offseasons, the Lakers will have to be strategic in their next moves. Will they keep Redick as head coach? Will they pursue another superstar or prioritize depth?
One thing’s for sure—this isn’t how the Lakers expected their season to end.