The Los Angeles Lakers’ season concluded with a 103-96 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, resulting in a 4-1 series defeat. Despite high expectations following the acquisition of Luka Dončić, the Lakers were unable to advance beyond the opening round.
Throughout the series, the Lakers struggled with several issues, including defensive lapses, inconsistent shooting, and a lack of interior presence. In Game 5, these problems were evident as the team fell behind early, trailing 31-22 after the first quarter.
Although they managed to take a brief lead in the third quarter, the Timberwolves regained control in the fourth, sealing the victory. Rudy Gobert’s dominant performance—27 points and 24 rebounds—highlighted the Lakers’ difficulties in the paint.
Rui Hachimura, who scored 23 points in the game, acknowledged the team’s shortcomings in rebounding. The 6-foot-8 forward assigned blame to himself for not being good enough in that category.
“We couldn’t get rebounds. We need somebody to get rebounds. I need to be one of them,” he stated, emphasizing the need for greater effort on the boards.
Despite Anthony Edwards having a relatively quiet night with 15 points, the Lakers failed to capitalize. The team’s reliance on perimeter shooting and lack of size were exploited by the Timberwolves, who controlled the interior and limited second-chance opportunities for Los Angeles.
As the Lakers enter the offseason, they face critical decisions regarding roster construction and strategy. Addressing the issues exposed during the series—particularly in rebounding and interior defense—will be essential for the team’s aspirations moving forward.
As for the Timberwolves, they await their next opponents, the winner of the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors series, in the second round.
