Rudy Gobert Leads Timberwolves to 4-1 Series Win Over Lakers

Rudy Gobert's dominant performance led the Timberwolves to a 103-96 win over the Lakers, ending their season. Get the latest updates.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have eliminated the Los Angeles Lakers from the 2025 NBA playoffs, winning the series 4-1. In the decisive Game 5, the Timberwolves delivered a clinical 103-96 victory, showcasing their dominance over the Lakers.

Rudy Gobert was instrumental in the win, delivering a dominant display with 27 points and 24 rebounds. His performance at both ends of the court significantly contributed to the Lakers' struggles. This marks the second consecutive year the Lakers have exited the postseason in the first round.

The Timberwolves now advance to the Western Conference semi-finals, where they'll face the winner of the Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets series. With their impressive win, the Timberwolves are looking strong, led by Gobert's exceptional skills.

Rudy Gobert is the first player with 25 PTS, 20 REB and 80% shooting in a series-clinching win in NBA history 😳 pic.twitter.com/n9HtM4Y3sC

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 1, 2025

The Lakers' postseason campaign ended disappointingly short, despite a regular season surge after acquiring Luka Doncic in February. Their inability to secure an authentic defensive big man after Anthony Davis's departure came back to haunt them, as Rudy Gobert dominated around the rim.

The Lakers struggled offensively, with LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves combining for just five three-pointers. This lack of shooting, coupled with Gobert's dominance, ultimately led to their downfall.

Rudy Gobert expressed his satisfaction with the win, saying, “It feels great. We had a season with ups and downs, so to come here and play the way we did means a lot. 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... All the things we went through throughout the season prepared us for this moment.”

Rudy Gobert's dominant performance was complemented by Julius Randle's 23 points, while Anthony Edwards contributed 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.

In other playoff action, the Houston Rockets kept their series hopes alive with a 131-116 thrashing of the Golden State Warriors, reducing the deficit in their Western Conference series to 3-2.