NBA Recap: Lakers' Season Ends with 103-96 Loss to Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA playoffs with a 4-1 series win. Read more about their dominant performance.

The Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from the NBA playoffs with a convincing 103-96 win in Game 5, securing a 4-1 series victory. Rudy Gobert's dominant performance, with 27 points and 24 rebounds, was instrumental in the win.

The Lakers' season came to an end as they exited the postseason in the first round for the second consecutive year. Despite their efforts, they couldn't overcome the Timberwolves' strong team play and Gobert's impressive stats.

The Minnesota Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where they'll face the winner of the Golden State Warriors versus Houston Rockets series. This comes after their dominant 103-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers, completing a 4-1 series victory.

The Lakers are left to ponder another early postseason exit, despite gaining momentum after acquiring Luka Doncic in February. Their inability to secure a top defensive big man following Anthony Davis's departure significantly impacted their performance, as Rudy Gobert's dominance exposed their vulnerabilities.

hoLLLLyWood. pic.twitter.com/Hr72es7COX

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 1, 2025

In the series against the Warriors, the Rockets kept their hopes alive with a 131-116 win, narrowing the gap to 3-2. The decisive Game 6 will determine which team moves forward to the semifinals.

The Lakers struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves combining for just five three-pointers. This lack of shooting efficiency contributed to their 103-96 loss.

“We just have a bunch of guys that want to win. And a lot of guys who have been through adversity throughout their career and their life, and we love each other,” said Rudy Gobert after the game. “It feels great. We had a season with ups and downs, so to come here and play the way we did means a lot.”

“All the things we went through throughout the season prepared us for this moment,” Rudy Gobert said, reflecting on his team's performance. Gobert's dominant game was complemented by Julius Randle's 23 points and Anthony Edwards's 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.

For the Lakers, Luka Doncic led the scoring with 28 points, followed by Rui Hachimura's 23 points and LeBron James's 22 points. Despite their efforts, the Lakers couldn't overcome the Timberwolves' strong team play.

In other playoff action, the Houston Rockets kept their series hopes alive with a 131-116 win over the Golden State Warriors, reducing the deficit to 3-2.