The Los Angeles Lakers concluded their season with a 103-96 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of their first-round playoff series, resulting in a 4-1 series loss. Despite the high hopes surrounding their roster, including the acquisition of Luka Dončić, the Lakers struggled with defensive lapses and inconsistent shooting throughout the series. In Game 5, they fell behind early and, despite a brief lead in the third quarter, couldn’t maintain momentum as the Timberwolves regained control in the fourth quarter.

Rudy Gobert's impressive performance, boasting 27 points and 24 rebounds, underscored the Lakers' deficiencies in rebounding. Rui Hachimura pointed out the team’s need for a stronger presence on the boards, taking personal responsibility for the rebounding issues. With Anthony Edwards contributing 15 points but not dominating, the Lakers’ reliance on perimeter shooting was exposed by the Timberwolves, who controlled the paint and limited second-chance opportunities. As the Lakers head into the offseason, they face significant decisions on how to address these fundamental issues, particularly in rebounding and interior defense.