Timberwolves Eliminate Lakers in First Round of NBA Playoffs
Rudy Gobert’s dominant performance leads Timberwolves past Lakers, clinching a 4-1 series victory in the NBA playoffs.
Summary
In a decisive Game 5, the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96, securing a 4-1 playoff series victory. Rudy Gobert excelled with 27 points and 24 rebounds, aiding the Wolves in overcoming poor shooting. The loss marked an early postseason exit for the Lakers, who struggled despite strong efforts from LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Minnesota advances to face the winner of the Golden State-Houston series, showcasing a strong playoff presence as they eliminated one of the league's top teams.
Sources (4)
- The Lakers' failure to acquire a strong defensive presence after Anthony Davis's exit was detrimental; Rudy Gobert's dominance around the rim showcased this shortcoming.
Al Jazeera·21d· "…The Lakers’ failure to acquire an authentic defensive big after Anthony Davis’s departure to Dallas came back to haunt them on Wednesday as Gobert dominated around the rim."
The Guardian·21d· "…Minnesota won Game 5 despite going 7 for 47 on three-point attempts, including 17 consecutive misses between the middle of the second quarter and Mike Conley’s dagger three with 1:22 to play."