Timberwolves Eliminate Lakers Behind Rudy Gobert's Dominant 27-24 Game

In a defining moment of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a stunning performance to eliminate the Los Angeles Lakers, led by a monstrous showing from Rudy Gobert, who posted 27 points and 24 rebounds. This commanding effort marked one of the most impactful games of Gobert’s playoff career and sent shockwaves through the Western Conference.

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🏀 Rudy Gobert's Statement Game: 27 Points, 24 Boards

Rudy Gobert silenced critics and overwhelmed the Lakers’ frontcourt with defensive dominance and relentless rebounding. His 24-rebound night tied a franchise playoff record, while his offensive contributions proved equally lethal.

"This is why we brought him here," said Timberwolves coach Chris Finch post-game. "He controlled the paint on both ends."

Gobert also added 5 blocks and altered countless shots, making it nearly impossible for LeBron James and Anthony Davis to find rhythm in the paint.

👉 View Gobert's full 2025 playoff stats on NBA.com

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🔥 Timberwolves Rise as Lakers Fall

Despite a 33-point performance by LeBron James and a late push from the Lakers’ bench, the Timberwolves maintained control throughout most of the contest. Key contributions from Anthony Edwards (22 points) and Karl-Anthony Towns (18 points, 10 rebounds) gave Minnesota an edge the Lakers never quite matched.

This victory marks the Timberwolves’ first playoff series win over the Lakers in franchise history, signaling a new era of Western Conference power.

👉 Check out the complete Timberwolves vs Lakers playoff recap

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🧊 What Went Wrong for the Lakers?

The Lakers’ elimination sparks major questions for the franchise:

• Will LeBron James return for the 2025–26 season?

• Is the Anthony Davis-LeBron duo still championship-caliber?

• Could roster changes reshape the Lakers' future?

The Lakers shot just 39% from the field and were out-rebounded 58-43. Despite their playoff pedigree, they simply couldn’t match Minnesota’s energy and physicality.

👉 Read more about the Lakers' offseason outlook

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🔮 What’s Next for the Timberwolves?

With the Lakers out of the picture, the Timberwolves move on to the Western Conference Semifinals, where they’ll likely face the Denver Nuggets or Phoenix Suns. Their depth, rebounding, and commitment to defense make them a serious threat.

Coach Finch praised his team’s growth:

“We’ve come a long way. Rudy is anchoring us, and everyone’s buying in.”

Minnesota is peaking at the right time — and if Gobert keeps playing like this, the Timberwolves might go even further than fans expected.