The Minnesota Timberwolves will look to close out their first-round series when they face the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.
Minnesota took a 3-1 series lead with a 116-113 win in Game 4 on Sunday, coming back from a 12-point deficit late in the third quarter to grab control heading into Game 5. The Wolves have now won back-to-back games by finishing strong, outscoring the Lakers in the fourth quarter of every game this series and holding a 105-69 advantage across those final periods.
It was another big-time playoff performance from Anthony Edwards, who poured in 43 points and helped fuel the rally. Julius Randle added 25, and Jaden McDaniels delivered late with a three-point play and a steal on back-to-back possessions.
That ability to stay poised in tight moments has been key all series, and something head coach Chris Finch said the team has fully embraced. “There’s been no panic,” Finch said. “We’ve just kept trusting each other.”
That same focus is carrying over into their preparation for Game 5. After Tuesday’s practice in Los Angeles, Finch made it clear the group isn’t treating a 3-1 lead like anything is finished.
“We know we have a lot of work left to do in this series,” he said.
Veteran guard Mike Conley echoed Finch’s message, saying the team understands the level of focus it will take to finish the series.
“This is the hardest game we’ll have to play,” Conley said Tuesday. “Our mindset has to be that this is the most important game of our season.
That approach starts with Edwards, who’s averaged 33.5 points through four games and continues to set the tone on both ends. Conley believes Anthony Edwards’ energy and competitiveness have pushed the team’s intensity and focus to another level.
“He’s the engine,” Conley said about Edwards. “We go as he goes.”
Here’s everything you need to know for Wolves at Lakers in Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Wednesday, including injury updates, start time, how to watch on TV or stream and radio broadcast info.
Game 5 between the Wolves and Lakers tips off at 9 PM on Wednesday from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The game will air locally on FanDuel Sports Network with Michael Grady and Jim Petersen on the call, and nationally on TNT. You can also stream the game on truTV and Max.
You can listen to Alan Horton, the radio voice of the Timberwolves, on iHeartRadio’s Timberwolves channel, KFAN 100.3 and the Timberwolves app. The radio broadcast begins 15 minutes before tip-off.
In Game 5, the Wolves will wear their Statement Edition uniforms in dark gray. The Lakers will be in their gold Icon uniforms.
Here’s what the Lakers said after Game 4 and after their Tuesday practice ahead of Game 5.
Lakers coach JJ Redick on the team’s mindset heading into an elimination game: “I would describe us as on edge, as we should be.”
Redick on the sense of urgency required in Game 5: “You have to play with a sense of desperation. You can’t change what’s already happened and you can’t feel sorry for yourself.”
Redick on the stakes: “We have to win Game 5. It’s been conveyed by coaches, players, [Wednesday] is a [Game 7] for us.
Redick on whether fatigue played a role in late-game execution in Game 4: “Our two best players missed layups at the rim. I don’t think they missed layups because they were tired.”
Redick on how his Game 4 rotation changes were received by players: “I spoke to everyone yesterday that would’ve potentially played in the second half. They all understood it. There was no issue with that.”
Luka Dončić on how the Lakers are approaching the moment: “Confidence is a big part of it. We got to treat it like it’s Game 7, and we got to stick together.”
Dončić on what gives him confidence for Game 5: “Just looking at the third quarter, how we played and how we shared the ball, the way we were flying around, it gives me confidence for next game.
More from Dončić on Game 5 : “We definitely should treat it like Game 7. We lose and go home. No matter what, we can’t look in the future. So we got to focus on this game and then, from there go on.”
Austin Reaves on the reality of being down 3–1: “It’s must-win, as everybody knows. Not in an ideal situation, but we still have an opportunity to go out and compete and go get a win.”
Dorian Finney-Smith on how the Lakers are framing the challenge ahead: “We just gotta win one game at a time. Obviously, put ourselves in harm’s way. But we gotta figure it out as a team.”
LeBron James on the team’s focus: “You don’t think about winning three. You think about just getting the next one. That’s the only thing that matters because if not, obviously, the offseason begins. It’s all about Wednesday
