Lakers Eliminated by Timberwolves as Paint Defense Crumbles and Injuries Strike in Game 5

This stunning mid-season blockbuster trade proved costly for both the team and the city itself. The 103–96 playoff-ending defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves not only disrupted the Los Angeles Lakers’ championship expectations but also forced them into yet another semi-annual, hope-dashing cycle. The Dončić and LeBron spinally energizing duo never stood a chance against the Timberwolves’ hands-off approach as they swept the Lakers without breaking a sweat. “Underdogs reign supreme, Round 1 spring 4-1 victory.”

As of late, the 3-pointer seems to be everyone’s favorite exploration spot. The Timberwolves rivaled the gushing current, demolishing everything in their path. The vertebral pillar of the Lakers might lack pelvis-area shielding (aka rim protection), making it difficult to center significantly and outgun the board advantage. This “exploit outscoring” into the collection pit area turned out to be unavoidable. Los Angeles seemed unprepared to meet the elite standard of 28.3 playoff shots per game in the restricted area and 32.3 average driving points per game, both top of the postseason.

The Timberwolves were a hole above elite… rim defending, no competition.

Of more than two potential trade routes, a reserve power insistently heightened the gap exposure by relying on Jaxson Hayes. Putting all hope into the underperforming son of an assistant coach, Dončić gave the Lakers a chance that even Eastern Conference contenders wouldn’t envy. And so arrived “JJ Redick.”

Blazing a new front, Redick shifted to a smaller lineup, replacing Hayes with Finney-Smith, in an attempt to gain more lift on the offensive floor. While spacing improved, the team’s interior defense suffered even further, weakening. The defense was heavily exploited.

Edwards and McDaniels Exploit the Mismatch

Edwards proved nearly unstoppable in this series, averaging 29.8 points per game and shooting 60% when guarded by Dončić. McDaniels also delivered a phenomenal performance, averaging 19.8 points (up from 12.2) and shooting 72% from inside the restricted area.

Even in Game 5, where Edwards went just 5-for-19, Minnesota held a dominant physical edge, especially on second-chance opportunities. They outrebounded the Lakers 54–37 and still managed to win despite missing 40 three-point shots, the most by a winning team in the postseason.

Stars Injured, Offense Collapses

In Game 5, Dončić could be seen grimacing in pain due to a tough foul that impacted his lower back. James appeared to be limping in the final minutes, visibly uncomfortable. Even with both stars pushing through, hoping to salvage the season, their impact faded in critical stretches. Dončić finished with 28 points (on 7-of-18 shooting), and James added 22 (on 9-of-21 shooting), but both struggled when the Lakers needed them most.

The Lakers managed to grab a third-quarter lead but ultimately lost in the crucial final stretch, where their inefficient offense failed to support the defensive effort. They were outscored 25–16 in the fourth quarter again.

Even on their home turf, the offense collapsed. The final moments lacked cohesion, flow, and energy, symptoms of a team out of gas.

A New Low in Franchise History

For the first time, the Lakers lost in the first round of the playoffs as a No. 3 seed or higher. The franchise is now 2–12 in its last three playoff series.

Redick, who set a record by using the same five players for the entire second half in Game 4, repeated the strategy in Game 5. While some aspects of the game plan worked, it was far too late to patch over the team’s defensive flaws. “The reality is, we don’t have rim protection,” Redick admitted earlier in the series, a statement that summed up the Lakers’ biggest weakness.