The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2025 NBA season came to an early and disappointing end on Wednesday night, as the team fell 103-96 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series. Despite high expectations heading into the postseason, the Lakers struggled against Minnesota’s physicality and rebounding dominance, highlighted by center Rudy Gobert’s 27 points and 24 rebounds-both playoff career highs.
Minnesota controlled the series from the start, limiting the Lakers’ ability to execute their preferred small-ball style. Gobert’s performance in Game 5 was emblematic of the Timberwolves’ success in exploiting the Lakers’ lack of a traditional center. Lakers head coach JJ Redick addressed the decision postgame, explaining that prioritizing an offensively versatile lineup came with trade-offs. “You can say, ‘Oh, well, play a center.’ We couldn’t score. So there’s a trade-off to everything with this,” Redick said.
The Lakers struggled in crucial fourth-quarter moments throughout the series, a trend Redick pointed to during his reflections on the campaign. “We executed great in the fourth quarter. We just didn’t make shots,” Redick explained. The team shot just 12-for-52 from three-point range in fourth quarters during the series. Missed wide-open looks and opportunities at the rim ultimately contributed to the Lakers’ inability to close out games.
Things are different than a few hours before the start of Game 5
After leading the team in his first season as head coach, Redick expressed both disappointment and a commitment to improving. “I know I can be better, and I know I will get better,” Redick stated. While acknowledging that the season fell short of expectations, he commended the effort and resilience shown by the group. “I don’t necessarily take any satisfaction in how the year went. That’s not to say I’m not proud of what the group was able to do,” he added.
For the Lakers, this offseason will be crucial as they aim to address the roster and tactical challenges exposed during the series. With stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic leading the team, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the franchise moves forward in pursuit of postseason success.
As the Timberwolves advance to the second round, the Lakers face lingering questions about their decision-making and execution. While Redick acknowledged the challenges of his first year at the helm, his reflections point to a determined effort to learn, adapt, and bounce back in the seasons to come.
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