The Lakers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats from Game 5 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs paint a sobering picture for Los Angeles. There seemed to be a possibility of this year being different as 50 wins, a three seed in the Western Conference, and a white-hot roster going into April gave fans hope that this year was going to be different. It all changed and went back to earth in Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
What can only be called heartbreaking, confusing and outright frustrating, the Lakers were knocked out at home in what was dubbed as the choice of going home instead of win or go home.
Let’s break down what went wrong, who showed up, who didn’t, and how the Lakers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats tell the full story of a painful collapse.
Game Summary: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113
Trailing by 12 in the third quarter, Minnesota would then rally to snatch game five and the series largely due to a 43-point flurry finished by Anthony Edwards, with a game-winning three-point play after that by Jaden McDaniels. In the meantime, the Lakers did not have the answers late.
Although Rui Hachimura and LeBron James were both in the fine form in spates, one thing was certain the Lakers were out of juice, ideas on solutions. Instead, the scrappy loss became an epitome of overall system-wide problems instead of merely a poor performance.
The Lakers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats below underline a painful truth: LA had the stars, but Minnesota had the execution.
Full Player Stats: Lakers vs Timberwolves Game 5
| Player | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3:00 PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | #ERROR! |
| Lakers | ||||||||||||||||||
| LeBron James | 46:14:00 | 5 | 9 | 55.6 | 2 | 4 | 50 | 15 | 18 | 83.3 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 27 | -4 |
| Luka Dončić | 45:49:00 | 13 | 28 | 46.4 | 5 | 12 | 41.7 | 7 | 7 | 100 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 38 | -3 |
| Rui Hachimura | 41:09:00 | 9 | 16 | 56.3 | 5 | 10 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 23 | 0 |
| Austin Reaves | 35:08:00 | 6 | 14 | 42.9 | 5 | 12 | 41.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 5 |
| Dorian Finney-Smith | 40:37:00 | 2 | 7 | 28.6 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 | -5 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 4:21 | 1 | 2 | 50 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Gabe Vincent | 12:49 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -7 |
| Jarred Vanderbilt | 6:43 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3 |
| Jordan Goodwin | 7:11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Timberwolves | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anthony Edwards | 44:22:00 | 12 | 23 | 52.2 | 5 | 10 | 50 | 14 | 17 | 82.4 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 43 | 3 |
| Julius Randle | 42:40:00 | 9 | 22 | 40.9 | 3 | 8 | 37.5 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 25 | 8 |
| Jaden McDaniels | 38:28:00 | 6 | 11 | 54.5 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 8 |
| Rudy Gobert | 26:10:00 | 1 | 6 | 16.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 75 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5 | -11 |
| Naz Reid | 19:38 | 4 | 7 | 57.1 | 2 | 4 | 50 | 2 | 4 | 50 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 9 |
Key Takeaways: Lakers Go Collapsing Under Crunch Time
1. Failures of the Fourth Quarter
The Lakers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats reveal that LA was outscored in the fourth quarter of every game in this series — by a total of 105-69. That’s shocking for a team that boasts two future Hall of Famers. LeBron James didn’t score a single point in the fourth quarter of Game 5. The Lakers’ offense came to a complete stop, with no ball movement and no rhythm.
2. Anthony Edwards: New Rising Star
Edwards 43 point game was in clinic in composure, aggression and execution. He did not just score, but drew important fouls and played up-and-down the court like a real cornerstone of a franchise.
3. Rui Hachimura: the bright spot in the loneliness
Hachimura had locked in already on the jump and scored 23 points on 56% shooting and made five threes, as one of the few Lakers who seemed to know what it was all about. He scores the best score in individual terms.
JJ Redick’s Coaching: Inexperience on Display
There’s no question Redick overachieved this season. Turning the Lakers into a 50-win team is commendable, but the playoffs demand more than just momentum and talent — they require precise adjustments, trust in your bench, and cool decision-making.
Redick’s questionable decisions:
- No Jaxson Hayes to counter Minnesota’s size and rebounding dominance
- Overuse of Kleber, who was not game-ready
- Ignoring Vanderbilt’s defensive upside until late
- Giving Gabe Vincent crucial late-game minutes despite offensive struggles
His refusal to sub in Game 4 and lack of tactical rebounding strategy proved costly.
Grade: D for coaching performance in Game 5
Rebounding and Defense: A Fatal Weakness
The numbers don’t lie. The Timberwolves out-rebounded the Lakers 49 to 41. Rudy Gobert (10 REB) and McDaniels (11 REB) dominated the glass. The Lakers lacked any real interior presence or boxing out discipline.
When you’re facing a lineup with Gobert, Randle, and Edwards crashing the boards, going small without a plan is a recipe for disaster.
In the Lakers vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats, this rebounding gap stands out — and might be the biggest difference in the series.
Final Thoughts: A Tale of Two Franchises
This series was more than just a first-round matchup — it was a study in team culture, execution, and urgency.
- The Lakers, with all their glitz and glamour, fizzled out under pressure.
- The Timberwolves, often overlooked, rose to the occasion when it mattered most.
Sometimes the better team isn’t the one with more stars. It’s the one that plays harder, smarter, and together.
The Lakers now head into another uncertain summer, while Minnesota keeps dancing — with rhythm, resolve, and a rising superstar leading the way.
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