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Lakers vs. Timberwolves final score, results: Rudy Gobert’s big game, 4th-quarter push eliminates L.A. from playoffs

Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves have sent the star-studded Lakers home in the first round.

Minnesota took down Los Angeles 103-96 on Wednesday night to complete a 4-1 series victory and advance to the second round. Thanks to a big-time performance from veteran center Rudy Gobert and a few clutch buckets down the stretch, the Timberwolves now await the winner of the Warriors vs. Rockets first-round matchup.

The Lakers simply had no answer for the Timberwolves’ size Wednesday, as evidenced by a 27-point, 24-rebound performance from Gobert. The center, usually known for his defensive abilities, made his presence felt in the paint with plenty of offensive rebounds, put-back slams, and efficient baskets to take advantage of a small Los Angeles squad. Paired with 23 points from Julius Randle and a 15-11-8 performance from Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves overcame 7-47 (14.9%) shooting from 3-point range.

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For Los Angeles, the loss marked an early exit to a playoff run that brought hope with LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the way. JJ Redick’s squad looked flat for significant portions of Wednesday’s elimination game, also clearly missing an interior presence to halt Gobert. James (22 points) and Doncic (28 points) got the Lakers back in it in the second half, but their scoring efforts weren’t enough to match the depth and size of Minnesota in the fourth quarter.

The Lakers now enter a fascinating offseason in which the 40-year-old James’ retirement could be a real possibility and the roster will need filling out around Doncic. Los Angeles’ star power gave it hope for a title run in 2025, but the team very clearly did not have the necessary depth to take that leap.

As for the Timberwolves, Edwards’ playoff success against the NBA’s biggest stars has continued. Minnesota fell in the conference finals last year, and there are certainly reasons to believe it will make another deep run through the West bracket. Wednesday’s series-clinching victory was a full team effort, with Gobert and Randle leading the charge in a game in which Edwards wasn’t at his best.

The Sporting News tracked live updates and highlights as the Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round series. Here’s what you may have missed.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves live score

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NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket

Lakers vs. Timberwolves highlights from Game 5 of 2025 NBA playoffs

(All times ET)

Final: Timberwolves 103, Lakers 96

12:52 a.m.ย โ€” That’s it. The Timberwolves beat the Lakers 103-96, once again using a dominant fourth quarter to win the series 4-1. While Los Angeles’ season ends in disappointment as the No. 3 seed, Minnesota advances to the second round to face either Golden State or Houston.

12:51 a.m.ย โ€” The Lakers pull within six on a James layup. But their chances of a comeback to save their season are slim, needing to play the foul game effectively at this point.

12:46 a.m.ย โ€” The Timberwolves are taking command, on the verge of eliminating Los Angeles. Randle and Edwards both connect on baskets, then a Mike Conley 3-pointer makes it 100-94 with time ticking away. Minnesota can advance with a few defensive stops.

12:45 a.m.ย โ€” LeBron James comes up huge with a 3-pointer, making it a two-point deficit.

12:41 a.m.ย โ€” After countless offensive rebounds, the Timberwolves take a five-point lead on a running layup from Julius Randle. The Lakers have their backs against the wall, facing elimination.ย 

12:39 a.m.ย โ€” Jaden McDaniels has fouled out, joining Finney-Smith. With a few minutes remaining, Minnesota is up three with a chance to advance to Round 2, and this one is getting more physical. Buckle up.

12:36 a.m.ย โ€” What a performance from Rudy Gobert. The center is up to 27 points, 21 rebounds and two blocks on 12-15 shooting, throwing down yet another put-back jam to give the Timberwolves a 91-88 lead with under six minutes remaining.

12:32 a.m.ย โ€” Luka Doncic is nasty. He hits a high-arching floater to give the Lakers a one-point lead, but these squads are going back-and-forth. Dorian Finney-Smith fouled out for Los Angeles.

12:30 a.m.ย โ€” James is back on the floor. With around seven minutes remaining, Gobert sets a new playoff career high with 25 points. Minnesota leads 87-85.

12:27 a.m.ย โ€” LeBron James is checking out of the game after appearing to bump knees with Donte DiVincenzo. He got up gingerly, limping a bit as he went to the bench, but isn’t being examined near the bench.

12:22 a.m.ย โ€” Minnesota has a two-point lead with nine minutes remaining. Doncic checks back into the game, presumably to stay in until the final buzzer. It’s do-or-die time on the Lakers’ season.

End of third quarter: Timberwolves 81, Lakers 80

12:09 a.m.ย โ€” With 12 minutes remaining, the Timberwolves have the slight advantage thanks to another two points from Gobert, who’s got 24 points and 16 rebounds. The center, usually known for his defense, has picked up the slack in the paint for Edwards, who is 4-15 from the floor and 0-8 from deep.

The Lakers have their most momentum in ages though, with a half-injured Doncic up to 25 points, plus James (17) and Hachimura (18) both playing supporting roles. The Lakers will either be eliminated or live to see another day over the next quarter.

12:07 a.m.ย โ€” Rudy Gobert is just two points away from tying his playoff career high, currently at 22 points.

12:03 a.m.ย โ€” The Lakers lead! Doncic has led the charge on a comeback effort, finally breaking through with a 15-7 run to take the lead. Dorian Finney-Smith’s 3-pointer gives his team the advantage, but Doncic is now up to 24 points and seven assists.ย 

Crypto.com Arena has come alive, and this game is neck-and-neck.

12:02 a.m.ย โ€” Doncic’s free throws cut the Minnesota lead to 73-70. He has 10 made free-throws tonight and is starting to heat up, despite the nagging back issue.

11:58 p.m.ย โ€” Rudy Gobert is up to 20 points (!) with a ferocious put-back slam. He’s added in 11 rebounds so far.

11:56 p.m.ย โ€” Minnesota continues owning the paint, preventing the Lakers from taking a lead. Edwards got a tough double-clutch shot to go to make it a seven-point lead:

11:49 p.m.ย โ€” Yet again, the Lakers are on a run and within striking range. Doncic’s first 3-pointer and a James driving bucket makes it a five-point deficit for Los Angeles. The Lakers still have not led in this game, though.

11:40 p.m.ย โ€” The Timberwolves are ice cold to start the third quarter, missing three consecutive 3-pointers, including an airball from Edwards. The Lakers have some life behind four points from James.

11:39 p.m.ย โ€” As the second half begins, Luka Doncic is back on the floor for the Lakers.ย 

11:25 p.m.ย โ€” Gobert leads the Timberwolves with his 15 points, with Anthony Edwards (10) and Nickeil Alexander-Walker (10) not far behind. For the Lakers, Doncic has 12 points thanks to his eight free-throws, while James (10 points) and Hachimura (10 points) are hanging around.

Halftime: Timberwolves 59, Lakers 49

11:23 p.m.ย โ€” At the break, Los Angeles trails by 10, with crypto.com Arena virtually silent. Minnesota’s length and relentless rebounding has just been too much for the Lakers, who have also had a poor shooting game from Doncic so far.

Of further concern for the Lakers is Doncic’s health, as he gingerly walked to the locker room after the foul from Gobert.

11:19 p.m.ย โ€” A hard foul, but not a flagrant, from Gobert sends Doncic to the free-throw line. He grabs at his back a bit after the foul, shoots the free throws, then slowly walks to the locker room as halftime nears. Not a good sign for the Lakers, who need all the help they can.

11:15 p.m.ย โ€” Here’s your nightly reminder: LeBron James is 40 and doing stuff like this.

11:09 p.m.ย โ€” It’s back to a double-digit lead for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards is getting to the line often, and Gobert remains efficient around the rim. For every Lakers run, the Timberwolves have had an answer.

11:07 p.m.ย โ€” Luka Doncic airballed a wide-open transition 3-pointer and is now 1-6 from the floor.

11:05 p.m.ย โ€” Los Angeles is doing everything it can to make up the difference in total shots from 10 Timberwolves offensive rebounds. The Lakers are within three as the second quarter rolls on.

11:00 p.m.ย โ€” Heading into a timeout with around seven minutes remaining in the first half, Minnesota leads 44-37. The Lakers are making it a point to double Anthony Edwards, who has just six points, but the rest of the Timberwolves are carrying the load.ย 

Rui Hachimura is up to a team-high 10 points for the Lakers.ย 

10:55 p.m.ย โ€” Gobert is up to 11 points, taking full advantage of the Lakers’ small units. He’s 5-5 from the floor.

10:53 p.m.ย โ€” Here come the Lakers. They open the second quarter on a 7-1 run to make it a three-point deficit, with James’ eight points leading the charge.ย 

Among those in early foul trouble: Luka Doncic (2), Austin Reaves (2), Julius Randle (3), Jaden McDaniels (3) and Rudy Gobert (2).ย 

End of first quarter: Timberwolves 31, Lakers 22

10:43 p.m.ย โ€” At the end of the first frame, it’s been all Timberwolves for the most part. L.A. has lacked energy in an elimination game, and its star duo is shooting a combined 1-8 from the floor. Doncic brings the Lakers within nine points with three free throws at the end of the quarter.

10:39 p.m.ย โ€” Minnesota is maintaining its double-digit lead despite 3-14 shooting from deep.ย 

10:37 p.m.ย โ€” Maxi Kleber is officially making his Lakers debut in an elimination game. The former Maverick is back on the floor, and Los Angeles will hope his size and shooting will provide a spark.ย 

10:36 p.m.ย โ€” Kyrie Irving, the former teammate of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, is courtside for tonight’s matchup.ย 

10:30 p.m.ย โ€” The Timberwolves are out to a double-digit advantage in the first quarter, up 23-11. The Lakers’ small-ball lineup is being exposed, as Randle and Gobert have a combined 13 points and four rebounds. Both sides are cold from 3-point land to start.

10:23 p.m.ย โ€” The Lakers are facing an early deficit and struggling to contain Minnesota’s size, but Rui Hachimura gets the home crowd going with a nasty left-handed jam over Rudy Gobert.

10:18 p.m.ย โ€” Rudy Gobert has a major size advantage on both ends to begin this game. The Lakers went small, with Jaxson Hayes out of the starting lineup.

10:14 p.m.ย โ€” They’ve tipped off in crypto.com Arena. Julius Randle opens the scoring with a midrange bucket.ย 

Pregame

9:43 p.m.ย โ€” The starters for Game 5:

Timberwolves:

  • Mike Conley
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Julius Randle
  • Rudy Gobert

Lakers:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Austin Reaves
  • Dorian Finney-Smith
  • LeBron James
  • Rui Hachimura

9:27 p.m.ย โ€” LeBron James also seems pretty loose for Game 5, rapping Eminem’s “The Way I Am” to himself during warmups.

9:08 p.m.ย โ€” Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who kept his starters in the game for the entire second half in Game 4, didn’t take it kindly when asked pregame whether he’d lean on his assistant for subbing decisions in Game 5.

“You think I don’t talk to my assistants about substitutions every single timeout?” Redick said before storming out.

8:36 p.m.ย โ€” Anthony Edwards looks relaxed, just a win away from sending the Lakers home.

8:17 p.m.ย โ€” LeBron James and Luka Doncic have both famously been at their best in elimination games. Will they keep Los Angeles afloat tonight?

8:14 p.m.ย โ€” Maxi Kleber, who the Lakers acquired from the Mavericks in the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, is seeking to make his Los Angeles debut tonight. Kleber, an eight-year veteran, has been out since Jan. 25 with a foot injury. If he plays, he could give the Lakers an extra shooter.

8:12 p.m.ย โ€” Fresh off his 43-point game last time out, Anthony Edwards is in the building for Game 5.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves start time

  • Date:ย Wednesday, April 30
  • Time:ย 10:00 p.m. ET

Game 5 between Los Angeles and Minnesota will begin at 10 p.m. ET. The matchup will be played at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 5

  • TV channel: TNT, truTV
  • Live stream: Max,ย Sling

TNT and truTV will broadcast Lakers vs. Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Those who need an alternate viewing option can also stream on Max orย Sling.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves schedule

Date Game Time (ET) TV/Live stream
April 19 Game 1:ย Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95 โ€” โ€”
April 22 Game 2:ย Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85 โ€” โ€”
April 25 Game 3:ย Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104 โ€” โ€”
April 27 Game 4:ย Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113 โ€” โ€”
April 30 Game 5 10 p.m. TNT,ย Sling
May 2 Game 6* TBD TBD
May 4 Game 7* TBD TBD

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