What Timberwolves Can Carry Into Round 2 After Running Through the Lakers

The Minnesota Timberwolves are headed back to the Western Conference semifinals, and they’re not just making history — they’re making a statement.

Behind a stifling defense, a breakout performance from Rudy Gobert, and a well-timed dose of Anthony Edwards stardom, the Wolves closed out the Los Angeles Lakers with a 103-96 win in Game 5 on Wednesday night, sealing a 4-1 series victory.

It marks the first time in franchise history the Timberwolves have advanced past the first round in back-to-back seasons. That may not sound like much for some franchises, but for Minnesota, it’s a sign of serious growth. Maybe even something bigger.

The Wolves now wait for the winner of the Golden State-Houston series, where the Warriors lead 3-2. For now, here are five takeaways from a statement series win over the Lakers:

1. Wolves win in every way imaginable
Minnesota hit 21 threes in Game 1. Then turned around and won Game 5 while shooting 7-for-47 from deep — the worst 3-point percentage ever in a playoff win with that many attempts. Doesn’t matter. That’s the sign of a tough, resilient team.

Jaden McDaniels had 25 in the opener. Naz Reid chipped in 23 off the bench. Gobert dropped a monster 27 and 24 in the clincher. Edwards took over in Game 4 with 43 points. And in Game 3, they closed on a 13-1 run. Bottom line: every night, it was someone different.

The Lakers looked like a team built for a different era. Minnesota looked like a team built for a deep run.

2. Ant: From raw talent to composed killer
We knew Edwards had the tools. But this series showed the tools have been sharpened.

The Lakers threw doubles, traps, everything short of Kareem’s skyhook to slow him down. It worked for stretches — but Edwards adjusted. Instead of forcing shots, he found open teammates. He made smart reads. He let the game come to him. And when it was time to take over, he did.

He averaged 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists, but most importantly? Just 1.2 turnovers per game. Zero in Game 5. That’s the kind of leap that turns a highlight-reel player into a franchise cornerstone.

3. Gobert and McDaniels punish Lakers’ lack of size
The Lakers had no answer for Minnesota’s physicality. None.

Gobert looked like the tallest man in the arena — because he was — and he played like it. The Lakers couldn’t keep him off the glass or away from the rim. McDaniels attacked relentlessly and was a pest on the boards. Julius Randle bruised them inside all series.

The Wolves don’t just win pretty. They win ugly, too. And Gobert reminded the world that size — real size — still matters in today’s NBA.

4. So much for clutch issues
Minnesota was bad in close games during the regular season. Let’s be honest — the Timberwolves were flat-out awful. Now? They’re executing like veterans.

The Wolves went 3-0 in clutch-time games against the Lakers. Their net rating in those minutes? +87.6. That’s not just an improvement, that’s a revelation. They moved the ball, took care of it (9:1 assist-to-turnover ratio), and got stops.

It was the Lakers — with LeBron James, mind you — who blinked late. Not the young Timberwolves.

5. Closed it in five, and that matters
You don’t get bonus points for how fast you close out a series. But maybe you should.

Minnesota wrapped this up early, and that could prove huge. Last year, they limped into the conference finals after going seven grueling rounds with Denver. They had nothing left in the tank for Dallas. This year? They’re fresh. They’re confident. And they’re getting better by the game.

Next up, either the battle-tested Warriors or the explosive, but inexperienced Rockets. Either way, Minnesota’s sitting in the driver’s seat — rested, locked in, and playing like a team with something bigger in mind.

The Wolves are howling. And the West better be listening.