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Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert powered his team to victory with a dominant performance, posting playoff career-highs of 27 points and 24 rebounds, along with two blocks. Although Anthony Edwards struggled from beyond the arc, going 0-for-11 from three-point range, he still contributed a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds.
On the Lakers' side, stars Luka Dončić and LeBron James battled through injuries. Dončić, despite sustaining a lower back injury in the first half, delivered a game-high 28 points and nine assists. James, who took a beating in the second half, added 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
It was a tough exit for the third-seeded Lakers. Here's a breakdown of how Game 5 unfolded:
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The Los Angeles Lakers made a bold move in February, acquiring Luka Dončić from the Dallas Mavericks in a blockbuster trade to boost their title hopes. However, their playoff journey ended almost as quickly as it began. On Wednesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers with a 103-96 victory in Game 5, sealing the first-round series 4-1. Despite trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half, the Lakers mounted a comeback and briefly took a 88-87 lead with 6:29 left. But Minnesota answered with a decisive 15-9 run to close out the game and the series at crypto.com Arena.
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