LOS ANGELES — In a critical Game 5 of the playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves shook off their shooting woes to clinch victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Lakers opting for a smaller lineup, Rudy Gobert capitalized on the mismatch, propelling the Wolves to the second round of the postseason.
Gobert delivered a standout performance with playoff career highs of 27 points and 24 rebounds. Alongside, Julius Randle contributed 23 points, guiding Minnesota to a 103-96 win that secured their first-round series. This marked a significant turnaround for Gobert, who outscored his total from the previous four games of the series. His dominant presence in the paint posed a challenge for the Lakers, impacting both their offensive and defensive play.
Reflecting on the victory, Gobert remarked, “Feels great, but not vindication. It’s not about beating a specific person. It’s about a championship, and we’ve got a little bit more work to do before that.” Despite a nightmarish 7 for 47 performance from three-point range, the Timberwolves managed to outlast their opponents thanks to mental toughness and strategic gameplay, including a pivotal three-point shot by Mike Conley towards the end.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch acknowledged, “We didn’t shoot the ball well, but I thought we were the tougher team mentally and physically.” He praised his team’s resilience, particularly in the face of their three-point shooting drought. Anthony Edwards contributed 15 points and 11 rebounds, supporting the team’s effort to triumph in the series.
With this win, Minnesota eliminated the star-studded duo of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, marking the first consecutive playoff round victories in franchise history. The Timberwolves now await the winner of the ongoing series between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors, with the Rockets fending off elimination on Wednesday. Their next clash is scheduled for Game 6, with the Warriors leading 3-2.
Luka Doncic fought hard for the Lakers, posting 28 points and nine assists, while LeBron James added 22 points. Despite significant roster changes in midseason, the Lakers faced a first-round exit for the second year in a row. Rui Hachimura, another bright spot for the Lakers, scored 23 points, but it wasn’t enough to extend their playoff run.
Lakers coach JJ Redick expressed a mix of emotions after the game, saying, “There’s always a mix of disappointment and gratitude.” He acknowledged Minnesota’s strong performance, saying, “They’re a really good basketball team, and I think our guys played hard enough and did all the right things. We tried to make it work with what we had, and came up a little short.” The Lakers’ quest for another playoff run stumbled once more as they continue to rebuild and strategize for future success.