In an exhilarating encounter, Rudy Gobert set playoff career highs with 27 points and 24 rebounds, while Julius Randle contributed 23 points as the Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed over the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96 in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. This win marked a significant milestone for the Timberwolves, as they advanced in the playoffs for the second consecutive season—a first in the franchise’s history.
Anthony Edwards also made a notable impact with 15 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who eliminated star players LeBron James and Luka Doncic from the postseason. The series saw James facing heavy criticism for an apparent “flop” after being fouled by Timberwolves guard Donte DiVincenzo in the final quarter, an occurrence that highlighted the physicality of the match.
Having secured three consecutive victories, Minnesota now prepares to face the winner of the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors series, with the Warriors currently leading 3-2. Despite James and Doncic putting up respectable performances—22 and 28 points respectively—the Lakers were eliminated in the first round for the second year in a row, struggling to adjust after their mid-season roster reshuffle.
Minnesota managed to clinch the Game 5 victory primarily due to Gobert’s dominance in the paint, compounded by the Lakers’ decision to play without a traditional centre. Notably, the Timberwolves endured a challenging night from beyond the arc, hitting just 7 of 47 three-point attempts, with a dismal stretch of 17 consecutive misses before Mike Conley finally broke the drought with a critical three-pointer in the closing moments.
In the series, the Timberwolves effectively capitalised on late-game execution, gaining momentum after splitting the initial two matches held in Los Angeles. With the Lakers opting for a small-ball strategy in Game 5, Gobert managed to exceed his scoring total from the first four games combined, becoming a pivotal factor as the Timberwolves maintained a slim lead late in the contest when the Lakers went through a rough patch, missing five shots in succession.
As the game progressed, strategical shifts were noted from Lakers coach JJ Redick, who defended his controversial approach of limiting player substitutions during the match. Despite an 11-point Timberwolves lead in the first quarter, the Lakers fought back, particularly after Doncic briefly exited the game due to a knee injury from a foul. He returned promptly, showing resilience.
The intensity of the match was exemplified by James’s struggles with his ankle as he went down hard but made a comeback shortly after, emphasising the high stakes as both teams battled fiercely for a spot in the next round. Thus, the Timberwolves emerge invigorated and ready for the challenges ahead in the playoffs, having successfully navigated a formidable opponent in the Lakers.