Mathilde Lacombe

The 2025 NBA Western Conference first-round playoff series between the Los Angeles Lakers (3rd seed) and Minnesota Timberwolves (6th seed) delivered a riveting showdown. Player performances tilted the series decisively in Minnesota’s favor. Here’s how the key contests shook out:

• Game 1 (April 19): Timberwolves routed the Lakers 117–95. Anthony Edwards posted 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists, leading the Wolves’ balanced attack. Jaden McDaniels added 25 points and 9 rebounds, while Naz Reid supplied 23 off the bench (shooting 6-of-9 from deep). For L.A., Luka Dončić debuted with 37 points and 8 rebounds; LeBron James added 19 points and 5 rebounds.

• Game 3 (April 25): Timberwolves won 116–104. Jaden McDaniels exploded for a playoff-career-high 30 points, while Anthony Edwards tallied 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. On the Lakers’ side, LeBron contributed 38 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 assists; Luka Dončić notched 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists.

• Game 4 (April 27): Timberwolves edged out L.A. 116–113 in another thriller. Anthony Edwards dominated with 43 points, while Luka Dončić had 38 points, and LeBron added 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 8 assists — still, it wasn’t enough.

• Game 5 (May 1): Minnesota sealed the series with a 103–96 win. Rudy Gobert delivered a monstrous double-double: 27 points and 24 rebounds (playoff-career highs). Julius Randle added 23 points, while Anthony Edwards chipped in with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Lakers vs Timberwolves

The broader Lakers vs Timberwolves narrative was one of expectations clash with execution. Post mid-season trade, the Lakers—with fresh superstar Luka Dončić paired with LeBron James—were projected as title contenders. Yet they were swiftly undone by the Timberwolves’ cohesion, depth, and physicality.

Key pitfalls for L.A.: poor rebounding, particularly without Anthony Davis, late-game inefficiency, and a tight rotation that fatigu.ed their stars. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s balanced attack and playoff-tested core (Edwards, Gobert, Randle, Conley) used size and discipline to dominate domestically and in crunch time.

Timberwolves vs Lakers

Viewed through the opposite lens, the Timberwolves vs Lakers series illustrated a mature, organized Minnesota squad overcoming a flashy but disjointed Lakers team. Anthony Edwards repeatedly stepped up—scoring in bunches and facilitating play—while Rudy Gobert’s inside presence exposed L.A.’s structural weaknesses.

Coach Chris Finch’s rotational depth paid off. Multiple scoring avenues allowed the Wolves to carry momentum deep into games, particularly the fourth quarters where they outscored L.A. 127–85 over the series.

Minnesota Timberwolves vs Lakers match player stats

Breaking down the Minnesota Timberwolves vs Lakers match player stats:

• Anthony Edwards:

  • Game 1: 22 pts, 8 reb, 9 ast

  • Game 3: 29 pts, 8 reb, 8 ast

  • Game 4: 43 pts

  • Game 5: 15 pts, 11 reb

• Jaden McDaniels:

  • Game 1: 25 pts, 9 reb

  • Game 3: 30 pts

• Rudy Gobert:

  • Game 5: 27 pts, 24 reb 

• Julius Randle:

  • Game 5: 23 pts 

• Luka Dončić (Lakers):

  • Game 1: 37 pts, 8 reb

  • Game 3: 17 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast

  • Game 4: 38 pts

  • Series avg: 30.2 pts, 7.0 reb, 5.8 ast

• LeBron James (Lakers):

  • Game 1: 19 pts, 5 reb

  • Game 3: 38 pts, 10 reb

  • Game 4: 27 pts, 12 reb, 8 ast

  • Series avg: ~25.4 pts, 9.0 reb, 5.6 ast 

Timberwolves standings

In the 2024-25 regular season, the Minnesota Timberwolves finished third in the Northwest Division with a 49–33 record, 1 game behind Denver (50–32) and 19 games behind Oklahoma City (68–14).

The Los Angeles Lakers ended their season 50–32, securing third in the Pacific Division.

Where to watch Timberwolves vs Lakers

As the series took place during the 2025 NBA Playoffs (April–May), broadcast venues included national U.S. outlets:

• Game 1 aired on ABC at Crypto.com Arena.

While regional networks and NBA League Pass typically covered other games, note that these matchups already occurred—so live watching isn’t possible now, but full replay options remain available via NBA platforms, ESPN, and affiliated streaming services.

Summary Table