LeBron James, Lakers Bounced By Wolves In First Round

For the first time in NBA history, the Lakers entered the playoffs as a No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and lost in the first round.

The final blow came Wednesday night, at home, when they dropped a 103-96 decision to the Timberwolves in Game 5. So Minnesota wins the series, 4-1, and now awaits the winner of the Warriors-Rockets series in the West semifinals.

The Timberwolves couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn from three. Didn’t matter. Rudy Gobert made sure of it.

The veteran big man turned in a towering performance — 27 points, 24 rebounds, and a whole lot of rim protection — as Minnesota simply outwilled LA.

It marks the second straight year the Lakers have bowed out in Round 1, and this one will sting a little more. They were the No. 3 seed. They won 50 games. Internal expectations? Significantly higher.

Instead, they’re headed into another long summer of questions.

Julius Randle chipped in 23 points and Anthony Edwards added 15 points and 11 boards for the sixth-seeded Wolves, who ripped off three straight wins to oust LeBron James and Luka Doncic — an ambitious pairing that now exits the playoffs with more questions than answers.

Minnesota, which has now won a playoff round in back-to-back years for the first time in franchise history, awaits the winner of the Houston-Golden State series. The Rockets staved off elimination Wednesday to force a Game 6 on Friday, though the Warriors still lead 3-2.

Doncic finished with 28 points and nine assists, James scored 22, and Rui Hachimura added 23 off the bench. But it wasn’t enough for the Lakers, who find themselves bounced in the first round for the second straight postseason, even after the high-profile midseason swing to acquire Doncic from Dallas.

So here they are again — LeBron, Luka, and a lot of noise, but not much to show for it. The Wolves, meanwhile, are headed to the second round with belief, momentum, and Gobert looking every bit like the defensive anchor and offensive spark they envisioned when they paid big to get him.

And just like that, it’s Minnesota still dancing. The Lakers? Headed into another long offseason full of “what now?”

Hoops Wire will have more on what’s next for both teams in the days ahead.