Rudy Gobert delivered a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds, dominating the Los Angeles Lakers’ small-ball lineup, as the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 103-96 victory in Game 5 on April 30, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena. The win clinched a 4-1 series triumph in the first round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, advancing the sixth-seeded Wolves to the Western Conference semifinals.
Despite a woeful 7-for-47 (14.9%) three-point shooting night, including 17 consecutive misses, Minnesota leaned on Gobert’s 12-for-15 efficiency in the paint and Julius Randle’s 23 points (8-for-16) to outmuscle the Lakers. Anthony Edwards struggled, shooting 5-for-19 for 15 points but added 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Mike Conley’s clutch three-pointer with 1:22 left sealed the game, finishing with 8 points. The Wolves’ 18 offensive rebounds and 54-37 rebounding edge overwhelmed the Lakers’ undersized lineup.
Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 28 points and 9 assists, while LeBron James added 22 points and 7 rebounds. Rui Hachimura shone with 23 points, including 5-for-8 from three, but the Lakers’ 15 turnovers and inability to counter Gobert’s dominance proved costly. “We didn’t shoot well, but we were the tougher team mentally and physically,” said Wolves coach Chris Finch.
Minnesota’s series dominance, marked by a 117-95 Game 1 blowout and Edwards’ 43-point Game 4, showcased their physicality and depth. They now await the winner of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series, with Game 6 set for May 2, 2025, and the Warriors leading 3-2. The Lakers, despite the midseason addition of Dončić, face a second straight first-round exit, sparking questions about their roster construction.
