The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers recently got locked into an intense play-offs series of the first round. Minnesota won the series 4-1. Both teams had memorable plays that changed the game from Game 1 to Game 5.
Game 1: Jaden McDaniels and Anthony Edwards Performance
During Game 1 they were overwhelming as the Timberwolves blasted the Joker 117-95 at Los Angeles. The wolves also shot effectively with 51.2 percent, the Lakers were poor with 39.8 percent. This tendency helped Minnesota’s offense, where teamwork and balanced scoring were key.
- The top scoring was 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists by Anthony Edwards.
- Jaden McDaniels managed 25 points and 9 boards.
- Off the bench Naz Reid followed up his 42-point performance with a respectable 23 points on 6-of-9 three pointers.
On the Lakers’ side, Luka Dončić led with 37 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and dished out just one assist, while LeBron James scored 19 and blocked 3 shots.
Game 3: Edwards and McDaniels grab Their Control
The event of game 3 in Minneapolis was an eye opener. Minnesota conquered with the score 116:104, the highlights of the game changed everything:
- Anthony Edwards scored 29 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists.
- Jaden McDaniels scored a playoff-career-high 30 points. He also grabbed 5 rebounds and made a steal.
- Julius Randle chipped in 22 points which added to the perimeter strength of Minnesota.
LeBron James played a decent game with 38 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists, whereas Austin Reaves finished with 20 points.
Game 4: Edwards Delivers Spectacular Performance
Game 4 was arguably the highlight of the series. Anthony Edwards exploded for 43 points and 9 rebounds, pushing Minnesota to a dramatic 116–113 win. The Wolves closed strong with a 14–6 run to seal the victory.
Luka Dončić also shined for the Lakers, contributing 38 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists, but it wasn’t enough to stop Minnesota’s momentum.
Game 5: Gobert and Randle Seal the Deal
In the decisive Game 5, Minnesota topped Los Angeles 103–96, knocking the Lakers out of the playoffs. Two Timberwolves players stood out:
- Rudy Gobert recorded a phenomenal 27 points and 24 rebounds, dominating the boards and interior defense.
- Julius Randle averaged 22.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.6 assists during the series, proving himself a matchup nightmare.
On the Lakers’ end, LeBron James managed 22 points, 6 assists, and 7 rebounds, while Luka Dončić scored 28 . Rui Hachimura also contributed with timely three-pointers.
Series Leaders and Averages
Here’s a clear overview of the key player averages during the series:
| Category | Timberwolves Leader | Lakers Leader |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Edwards ~27.6 ppg | James ~24.4 ppg |
| Rebounds | Gobert ~10.9 rpg | James ~7.8 rpg |
| Assists | Randle ~4.7 apg | James ~8.2 apg |
| Steals | McDaniels ~1.34 spg | Reaves ~1.11 spg |
| Blocks | Gobert ~1.44 bpg | James ~0.56 bpg |
| FG% | Gobert ~66.9% | Davis ~52.8% |
| 3PT% | Conley ~41.0% | Hachimura ~41.3% |
What These Numbers Reveal
- Anthony Edwards is the Timberwolves’ key player. He scores a lot, makes plays, and gives great effort.
- Jaden McDaniels emerged as a key two-way player, especially with his career-high Game 3 night.
- In the paint, Rudy Gobert was dominant—his rebounding and defense won Game 5.
- Julius Randle proved a strategic matchup problem, averaging over 22 points per game and excelling against the Lakers.
- The Lakers leaned heavily on LeBron James, but lacked secondary scoring support in crunch time.
- Luka Dončić repeatedly showed his talent but didn’t get enough help from his teammates.
Final Thoughts
The Timberwolves impressed with depth, star power, and gritty defense. Minnesota’s trio—Edwards, McDaniels, and Gobert—delivered standout performances at critical moments. The Lakers, anchored by LeBron and Dončić, showed flashes of brilliance but faltered in lineup execution and bench production.
For Lakers fans, the series is a tough lesson in the need for balanced scoring and lineup flexibility. For Timberwolves followers, it marks a turning point: they’re no longer underdogs—they’re contenders.
Read More:-) Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors Match Player Stats | Denver Nuggets vs Lakers Match Player Stats
