Rudy Gobert was in prime form as Minnesota Timberwolves saw off Los Angeles Lakers at the Crypto[dot]com Arena in Game 5 of their first round series in the NBA Playoffs, to complete a 4-1 series win and advance to the Western Conference semi-finals.
The French center posted playoff career-highs for points and rebounds, stacking 27 points and 24 rebounds, with Julius Randle adding 23 points while Anthony Edwards put up 15 points 11 rebounds and eight assists on the way to a 103-96 win over the Lakers.
Luka Doncic put up 28 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Lakers, while LeBron James added 22 points and Rui Hachimura delivered 23 points as the Purple & Gold saw their season – full of expectations after Doncic landed in LA from Dallas – come to a premature end.
Timberwolves now await the winner of the series between Golden State Warriors and Houston Rockets, which the latter has forced to a Game 6 following a 131-116 win over the Warriors in Game 5 on Wednesday night.