Today On May 1, 2025, Rudy Gobert’s delivered a masterful performance help to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 103–96 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series.This win secured a 4–1 series triumph for the Timberwolves into the Western Conference Semifinals. Timberwolves player Gobert’s 27 points came on an efficient 12-of-15 shooting from the field also he added two two blocks to his stat line ,since 1996. first to do , Gobert performance marked him as only the fourth player in NBA history to record at least 25 points and 20 rebounds while shooting 80% or better in a playoff game Despite the Timberwolves’ struggles from beyond the arc, shooting just 7-for-47 on three-point attempts, Gobert’s dominance in the paint provided the team with the edge they needed.
Lakers’ Strategy
The Lakers opted for a small-ball lineup, which Gobert exploited by controlling the boards and scoring efficiently in the paint. His presence was a constant challenge for the Lakers’ defense, leading to a significant rebounding advantage for Minnesota.
Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal acknowledged Gobert’s dominance during the game
With this victory the Timberwolves will face the Winner of Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets series in the Western Conference Semifinals.
Gobert’s leadership and performance will be Central as Minnesota seeks to continue their playoff run
For a visual recap of the game’s highlights, you can watch the following video:
Timberwolves vs. Lakers Game 5 Highlights