Rudy Gobert delivers historic performance to eliminate Lakers

In the United States, the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers with a 103-96 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Rudy Gobert played a key role, achieving playoff career highs of 27 points and 24 rebounds, bringing significant momentum to the Timberwolves as they advanced to the NBA Western Conference Semifinals. Julius Randle also contributed to the victory by scoring 23 points, while Anthony Edwards added 15 points and 11 rebounds. The Timberwolves' performance showcased their resilience, as they came back from a challenging start to the playoffs. After splitting the first two games of the series in Los Angeles, Minnesota managed to win three consecutive games against the Lakers to secure the series win, marking the first time in franchise history that they have won playoff rounds in back-to-back seasons. Despite struggling with their shooting, including a dismal 7 of 47 from three-point range, the Timberwolves capitalized on the small-ball lineup deployed by the Lakers to gain an advantage. In Game 5, Gobert's dominance in the paint was apparent, especially after he had a relatively quiet offensive performance in the earlier games of the series. His ability to score points and control the boards helped the Timberwolves maintain a narrow lead throughout much of the game. The Lakers struggled to capitalize on their opportunities and went through a slump in the fourth quarter, missing five consecutive shots in critical moments. Anthony Edwards expressed pride in defeating LeBron James, stating that it meant a lot to beat the “best player in the world.” LeBron James, who scored 22 points but couldn't lead the Lakers to victory, reflected on the season and expressed uncertainty about his future in the league. The outcome of the game highlighted the struggles of the Lakers, who have only advanced past the first round once in the last five seasons since their 2020 championship. As the Timberwolves celebrated their significant victory, they now set their sights on their next opponent, the winner of the series between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors.