Introduction to the Lakers’ Season
The Los Angeles Lakers’ first season with Luka Dončić has come to an end. Dončić, who led the Dallas Mavericks all the way to the NBA Finals last season, couldn’t help the Lakers get out of the first round in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, as the Minnesota Timberwolves dispatched of the Lakers 103-96 in Game 5 at Crypto.com arena to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs.
Game 5 Recap
Rudy Gobert dominated the Lakers small lineups with a playoff career-high 27 points, an astounding 24 rebounds, including nine on the offensive end, and two blocks in the victory. Dončić, who injured his back in the second quarter, led the Lakers with 28 points. The Lakers, who were slight favorites to win the series before it began, stood no chance against the Timberwolves three bigs, and superstar Anthony Edwards.
Timberwolves’ Dominance
The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Lakers 65 to 48 in Game 5, including 18-to-8 on the offensive glass. Thanks to Gobert, Minnesota outscored the Lakers 56-40 in the paint, and had twice as many second-chance points, a trend that was prevalent throughout the series. “We knew we had to have a game like this from him [Rudy Gobert] at some point in the series," said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch after the series-clinching victory. "He was awesome tonight. Our guys were really good in finding him…it was Rudy’s night, and nobody was around to stop him."
Lakers’ Struggles
At the trade deadline, the Lakers thought they had acquired their Anthony Davis replacement when they agreed to a trade with the Charlotte Hornets for Mark Williams, but the trade was later rescinded after Williams failed a physical. That decision may be the biggest reason the Lakers are heading home early. Without a true center that could help defend four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award winner in Gobert, the Lakers struggled with the Timberwolves size and rebounding. Minnesota dominated the offensive glass all series, including in Game 5, giving the Timberwolves multiple second-chance opportunities, which they cashed in all night long.
Anthony Edwards’ Heroics
If it wasn’t the trio of Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid dominating the paint against the Lakers, it was the late-game heroics by superstar and current face of the NBA in Anthony Edwards. Every time the Timberwolves needed a basket late in games, it was Edwards who delivered. The Lakers led late in the fourth quarters in both Games 3 and 4 in Minnesota, but it was Edwards whose late-game execution exceeded that of the Lakers duo of Dončić and LeBron James, and is a major reason why the Timberwolves are moving on in the series to face either the Houston Rockets or Golden State Warriors in Round 2.
Game 5 Turning Points
Minnesota opened the game by getting Gobert going early and often. The Timberwolves opened up a 14-point lead, one that they would not relinquish until midway the end of the third quarter. The Lakers were relentless in their effort to rally, but they expended a lot of energy on the offensive end to come back from multiple double-digit deficits. The Lakers finally captured the lead at the end of the third quarter on a three-pointer from Dorian Finney-Smith. However, with a hobbled Dončić, an exhausted James, and no answer for Gobert, the Lakers dim hopes of extending the series dwindled down the stretch as the Timberwolves hung on for the victory.
Post-Game Reactions
RUDY GOBERT DOMINATES INSIDE TO LIFT THE @Timberwolves INTO THE WEST SEMIS!
🐺 27 PTS
🐺 24 REB (9 OREB)
🐺 2 BLK
🐺 80.0 FG% (12-15 FGM)
Gobert is just the FOURTH player to record 25/20 on 80+ FG% in a playoff game… and the first since 1996 🤯
"We obviously put ourselves in a position to be in the game, we just came up short every time," said Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick. "We missed wide open threes, we had our chances, we just couldn’t make them."
LeBron James’ Future
When the final buzzer sounded, James walked directly off the court, stepping straight into an offseason with an uncertain future. James finished with 22 points in what could be the final game of his NBA career. One of James sole motivations for returning this season at the age of 40 was to play with his son Bronny James Jr. Having accomplished that, and with the future of Lakers in the capable hands of Dončić, James could decide to retire after another first round exit. James is the NBA’s all-time leading scorer and leads in almost every major statistical category.
Offseason Plans
After James’ looming decision on whether or not he will play for the purple and gold next season, the Lakers next move will be to find a capable big man to play alongside Dončić and the team’s slew of wing defenders. Lakers’ current center Jaxon Hayes was thrust into a starting role after the Davis-for-Dončić trade, but he was virtually unplayable in the postseason and did not even see the court in Game 5. Max Kleber, appeared for the first time with the Lakers in Game 5 after breaking his right foot earlier this season with the Mavericks, but he showed signs of rust in just five minutes of action. "We knew it was going to be spot minutes," said Lakers’ head coach J.J. Redick on Max Kleber. "He’s an incredibly intelligent player."
Conclusion
The Lakers’ first season with Luka Dončić has come to an end, and the team is left to ponder what could have been. With a dominant big man and a full season to play with Dončić, the Lakers could be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference. However, with LeBron James’ future uncertain, the team’s offseason plans are up in the air. One thing is certain, the Lakers will need to make some moves to compete with the likes of the Timberwolves and other top teams in the conference.
FAQs
Q: What was the final score of Game 5 between the Lakers and Timberwolves?
A: The final score was 103-96 in favor of the Timberwolves.
Q: Who led the Lakers in scoring in Game 5?
A: Luka Dončić led the Lakers with 28 points.
Q: What is the status of LeBron James’ future with the Lakers?
A: James’ future with the Lakers is uncertain, and he may decide to retire after another first round exit.
Q: What is the Lakers’ biggest need in the offseason?
A: The Lakers’ biggest need is to find a capable big man to play alongside Dončić and the team’s slew of wing defenders.
