The Los Angeles Lakers faced a do-or-die Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, trailing 3-1 in their first round NBA playoff series. Despite the home-court advantage at Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers fell short, losing 103-96, which ended their postseason run. Legendary Laker Magic Johnson didn’t hold back, offering his analysis of why his former team couldn’t prevail.
After the game, Johnson took to social media to congratulate Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez and star Anthony Edwards. “Congratulations to my good friend Minnesota Timberwolves owner Alex Rodriguez, superstar Anthony Edwards, and the entire Minnesota Timberwolves team for beating my Lakers and advancing to the next round,” Johnson wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Johnson went on to criticize the Lakers’ defensive effort, calling it the primary reason for their defeat. “The reason the Lakers lost was because they played awful on defense, they were too small, and the Timberwolves dominated them in the paint,” he added.
The Lakers had no answer for Rudy Gobert, who delivered a commanding performance at Crypto.com Arena. After underwhelming in the previous four games, Gobert exploded for 27 points and an incredible 24 rebounds, dominating both ends of the floor and powering Chris Finch’s Timberwolves to victory.
Rudy Gobert #27 of the Minnesota Timberwolves grabs a rebound between Rui Hachimura #28 and Luka Doncic #77 of the Los Angeles Lakers during Game 5. (Harry How/Getty Images)
Rui Hachimura echoes Johnson’s criticism
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura reinforced Johnson’s comments during his postgame press conference, acknowledging the team’s failure to contain Gobert on the boards. Hachimura highlighted the need for a stronger presence in the paint to match up against elite centers like Gobert.
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“I mean, you guys can see the score. We didn’t get the rebound. We need somebody to get rebounds,” Hachimura said. “I gotta be one of them. You know, start more engaging in the rebounds, of course. I can’t just be face-to-face boxing up Gobert the whole game”.
He also emphasized the physical mismatch. “That’s the whole thing. I can’t. He’s 7’2″, 7’5″ wingspan, whatever. He’s a big man. And the problem was, I think, because we helped, covered, put on two guys, and the other guy, diving into the offensive rebound, and it’s easy,” Hachimura continued.
Gobert wasn’t the only problem, according to Hachimura. “It’s not only him. Gobert is not the only guy that can get rebounds for them. Most of all the starting five, except Mike Conley, can get a rebound. So, that was the game,” he added.
Lakers facing big challenge after Anthony Davis’ departure
The Lakers have yet to recover from the departure of Anthony Davis, who was traded to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Doncic. Davis was a dominant force in the paint on both ends, and his absence has left a glaring void in the Lakers’ frontcourt.
Initially, the Lakers targeted Mark Williams of the Charlotte Hornets to fill the gap, but the deal fell apart after he failed a physical. Instead, the Lakers acquired Maxi Kleber as part of the Davis trade. However, Kleber has been slow to integrate due to an injury, only making his debut after 88 days in the team’s recent loss, where he played five minutes and scored two points.
The Lakers also had Alex Len and Jaxson Hayes available on the bench, but head coach JJ Redick chose not to utilize them in the decisive game. Without a reliable option in the paint, the Lakers were left vulnerable, and the Timberwolves capitalized on the mismatch.
