Timberwolves Eliminate Lakers 103-96, Advance After Game 5 Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Rudy Gobert delivered a dominant performance with 27 points and 24 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5. Despite poor shooting, the Wolves outlasted the Lakers 103-96 to reach the second round. Gobert capitalized on LA’s small-ball strategy, overpowering the paint.
Gobert Leads Timberwolves Past Lakers Into Second Round: Quick Looks
- Rudy Gobert posted playoff career highs: 27 points, 24 rebounds
- Timberwolves eliminated Lakers with a 103-96 Game 5 win
- Minnesota shot just 7-for-47 from three-point range
- Lakers’ small-ball lineup had no answer for Gobert
- Anthony Edwards added 15 points and 11 rebounds
- Timberwolves advance after winning 3 straight games
- LeBron James and Luka Doncic eliminated in their first postseason together
Deep Look: Rudy Gobert Powers Timberwolves Past Lakers to Clinch Series in Game 5
The Minnesota Timberwolves overcame one of their worst shooting nights of the postseason thanks to Rudy Gobert’s best. Gobert dominated a smaller Lakers lineup with a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds, guiding Minnesota to a series-clinching 103-96 victory on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. The win marked the Timberwolves’ advancement to the second round, their second consecutive season doing so — a franchise first.
While Minnesota couldn’t buy a basket from beyond the arc—shooting a miserable 7-of-47 from three—Gobert’s presence in the paint and unmatched physicality overwhelmed a Lakers squad that leaned heavily on a centerless, small-ball approach.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well,” head coach Chris Finch admitted, “but I thought we were the tougher team mentally and physically. Our guys stayed composed through the emotions of a tough game.”
Gobert Seizes the Paint
Gobert, often criticized in recent years for his offensive limitations in the playoffs, silenced doubters by exploiting every mismatch the Lakers handed him. With LA choosing to spread the floor and remove traditional size from their rotation, Gobert feasted inside, scoring more in this one game than he had in the first four combined.
“It’s not about proving people wrong,” Gobert said. “It’s about chasing a championship. We’ve got more work to do.”
Gobert’s production also filled the gap left by the Timberwolves’ dismal perimeter shooting. The team went through a brutal 17-shot drought from deep between the middle of the second quarter and Mike Conley’s clutch three-pointer with just over a minute to play.
Minnesota Grits Out a Series Win
Anthony Edwards chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Julius Randle added 23 points in a physically intense game. The Timberwolves trailed only briefly, maintaining control even during stretches when the offense stalled.
Their mental toughness was on full display, especially after falling behind 1-0 early in the series. Winning three straight games against a Lakers team featuring both LeBron James and Luka Doncic is no small feat.
Minnesota now awaits the winner of the Warriors-Rockets series, where Houston staved off elimination in Game 5 to extend that series to at least six games.
Lakers Fall Short Despite Roster Overhaul
For the Lakers, it was another early playoff exit despite bold moves during the regular season. Their high-profile trade for Luka Doncic gave them one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league, but the pairing failed to translate into postseason success.
Doncic finished with 28 points and nine assists, while LeBron James added 22. Rui Hachimura had 23 points off the bench. Yet, the Lakers’ three-point shooting and interior defense couldn’t match up with Minnesota’s toughness and size.
JJ Redick, in his first postseason as Lakers head coach, reflected on the outcome with mixed emotions.
“There’s always a mix of disappointment and gratitude,” Redick said. “We played hard, we made adjustments, but Minnesota deserved it. They’re a great team.”
A Historic Step for the Wolves
This marks the first time in Timberwolves history that they’ve advanced beyond the first round in back-to-back seasons. Minnesota fans have long awaited a postseason breakthrough, and with Gobert’s resurgence and Edwards’ continued rise, this team is making noise at the right time.
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