The Minnesota Timberwolves are headed back to the second round of the NBA playoffs for the second straight season, clinching their Western Conference first-round series with a gritty 103-96 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
Despite enduring one of the ugliest shooting performances in recent playoff memory — going just 7-for-47 from three-point range — the Timberwolves leaned on a monster performance from Rudy Gobert to close out the series 4-1. The veteran center exploded for a playoff career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds, overwhelming a Lakers squad that elected to go small and paid the price.
Minnesota overcame a 17-straight miss streak from deep, getting a much-needed triple from Mike Conley with 1:22 left to finally put the game away. But the night — and series — belonged to Gobert, who provided both physical dominance and emotional leadership when the Wolves needed it most.
“Feels great, but not vindication,” Gobert said after the game. “It’s not about beating a specific person. It’s about a championship, and we’ve got a little bit more work to do before that.”
While Minnesota struggled to shoot, their physicality and composure set the tone. Head coach Chris Finch praised his team’s mental toughness, especially in the decisive fourth quarter.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but I thought we were the tougher team mentally and physically,” Finch said. “That’s when it showed itself. We knew we’d been good in fourth quarters against this team all series.”
Gobert wasn’t alone in contributing to the Wolves’ victory. Julius Randle added 23 points, and Anthony Edwards chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds despite shooting struggles. Minnesota’s defensive intensity also stifled a Lakers team that never quite found rhythm outside of Luka Doncic’s 28 points and LeBron James’ 22.
Los Angeles, which entered the postseason with championship aspirations following their blockbuster midseason trade for Doncic, exits in disappointment for the second straight year. Rui Hachimura added 23 points, but the Lakers’ inability to control the paint or string together stops down the stretch proved costly.
This marks just the second time in franchise history the Timberwolves have won a playoff round in back-to-back seasons. They’ll now await the winner of the Houston Rockets–Golden State Warriors series, which continues Friday with the Warriors leading 3-2.
Minnesota’s grit, anchored by Gobert’s towering presence, sends a clear message: the Timberwolves are not just a feel-good story — they’re a legitimate threat in the West.
