Los Angeles—It’s curtains for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2025 NBA playoffs. On April 30, the Minnesota Timberwolves, fueled by Anthony Edwards’ relentless drive, slammed the door on LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and the third-seeded Lakers with a 103-96 Game 5 victory, clinching the series 4-1. The sixth-seeded Wolves now advance to the second round, leaving L.A. to lick their wounds and face a summer of tough questions.
The first-round matchup, which tipped off on April 19, was a clash of star power and contrasting styles. Minnesota’s suffocating defense, anchored by Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, met the Lakers’ high-octane offense, led by Dončić’s playoff debut in purple and gold alongside James and Austin Reaves. Game 1 set the tone: the Timberwolves stormed into Crypto.com Arena and rolled to a 117-95 rout. Edwards, with 22 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists, was everywhere, while Jaden McDaniels and Naz Reid torched L.A.’s defense for 25 and 23 points, respectively. Dončić dropped 37 points, but the Lakers’ supporting cast fizzled, shooting a dismal 33-of-83.
L.A. punched back in Game 2 on April 22, scraping out a 94-85 win to knot the series. James and Dončić combined for 46 points, and the Lakers leaned on gritty defense to slow Minnesota’s attack. But the Wolves regained control in Game 3 on April 25, edging out a 116-104 victory in Minneapolis. Edwards and McDaniels poured in 30 and 29 points, respectively, outmuscling L.A.’s frontcourt. Game 4 on April 27 was a nail-biter—Minnesota eked out a 116-113 win, thanks to Edwards’ 43-point explosion, including a dagger three-pointer that silenced the Lakers’ late rally.
The final blow came in Game 5. Minnesota’s defense smothered L.A., holding them to 96 points. Gobert dominated the paint, and Edwards’ clutch plays sealed the deal. The Lakers, hampered by a lack of size without Anthony Davis—traded for Dončić before the season—couldn’t match Minnesota’s physicality. Coach JJ Reddick’s gamble on a small-ball lineup with Dončić, James, Reaves, Rui Hachimura, and Dorian Finney-Smith fell flat against the Wolves’ towering front line.
Elsewhere in the Western Conference, the playoff bracket is taking shape. Top-seeded Oklahoma City swept the Memphis Grizzlies 4-0, with their final 117-115 win on April 26. Denver leads the L.A. Clippers 3-2, with Game 6 set for May 1 at 10 p.m. ET on TNT. Golden State holds a 3-2 edge over Houston, also facing a Game 6 on May 2. In the East, Cleveland swept Miami 4-0, Boston ousted Orlando 4-1, Indiana eliminated Milwaukee 4-1, and New York leads Detroit 3-2, with Game 6 slated for May 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET.
The Timberwolves’ second-round opponent will be decided by the Nuggets-Clippers series outcome. Their next game tips off no later than May 5. For the Lakers, the offseason looms large. Dončić’s integration showed flashes but lacked consistency, and the team’s rebounding woes were glaring. Minnesota, meanwhile, rides a wave of momentum, with Edwards emerging as a postseason force.
The 2025 NBA playoffs began on April 19, following the Play-In Tournament from April 15-18. The Finals are scheduled to start June 5, with Game 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Eleven teams remain in the hunt for the championship.