Los Angeles, California — The excitement surrounding the partnership of LeBron James and Luka Doncic came to a sobering halt as the Los Angeles Lakers were eliminated from the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves, losing 103-96 in Game 5 on Wednesday night. Hopes buoyed by their star power were dashed once again, leaving the Lakers grappling with missed opportunities and harsh realities.
From the moment Doncic donned a Lakers jersey with his name on the back—an image underscored by James wearing a similar shirt during warmups—fans and analysts alike buzzed with anticipation for what this partnership could produce. Yet, that promise faded in the face of a resilient Timberwolves team that outperformed the Lakers at crucial moments throughout the series.
In a game marked by injury and frustration, both players struggled to make an impact when it mattered. Doncic grimaced in pain after taking a hit to his lower back, while James appeared to be hobbled, favoring his left leg as he exited the court. The sight of two of the NBA’s elite struggling juxtaposed the high expectations set for the duo.
With just over seven minutes remaining, the scoreboard displayed a glimmer of hope for the Lakers, who were within striking distance. Highlights of Doncic and James showcased the promise of their combined skills, yet as the clock wound down, the connection that had drawn so much attention failed to materialize. Doncic missed a critical layup, and James could not find his rhythm, leaving the Lakers short in yet another pivotal moment.
The Timberwolves capitalized on their opportunities, grabbing 54 rebounds compared to the Lakers’ 37, despite a lackluster three-point shooting performance. Even Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards shooting poorly (5 of 19) could not deter the underdogs from seizing control, demonstrating a cohesion that was often lacking in the Lakers’ play.
Lakers coach J.J. Redick’s decision to prioritize speed over size backfired, as center Rudy Gobert dominated the boards with a career-high 27 points and 24 rebounds. The adjustments he made in the lineup did little to curtail Minnesota’s momentum, and the lack of execution down the stretch spoke volumes about the team’s struggles.
Throughout the series, the trademark toughness that defined the Lakers during the regular season seemed to evaporate. Minnesota appeared to want it more, playing harder and functioning as a more cohesive unit. The stark reality emerged: the Lakers, who once appeared formidable, could not rise to the occasion in critical matchups, leading to this historic first-round exit.
Cries of frustration echoed from the court as the Lakers tried to fight back in the second quarter when the Timberwolves’ key players faced foul trouble. They closed the gap, but each time they edged closer, the cohesiveness they needed vanished, revealing fractures in their strategy. James’s frustration boiled over after a poorly timed turnover, reflecting a deepening sense of urgency among the team.
In a surprising turn of events, the Lakers found some rhythm in the third quarter, overcoming a 14-point deficit to steal a lead briefly. Nevertheless, they faltered in the fourth, managing only 16 points, a disheartening end to an offensive effort that had promised so much potential.
The defeat marked a historic low for the Lakers, who had never lost a first-round series as a third seed or higher. With a dismal 2-12 record in their last three playoff campaigns, questions of the team’s future loom large. The anticipated synergy between James and Doncic may become another “what could have been,” as the Lakers head into an uncertain offseason, reflecting on what went wrong in a season that had promised greatness.