NBA Playoffs: Gobert gives 'Doncic-drunk' Lakers a reality check, Rockets roar back!

The landscape of the Western Conference playoffs shifted significantly on Wednesday night. In Los Angeles, the Lakers faced a must-win scenario against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 but ultimately fell short, losing 103-96 at Crypto.com Arena. This defeat marked the end of the Lakers' season, a bitter pill to swallow for a team that had, in this hypothetical scenario, made a stunning, historic trade to pair superstar Luka Doncic alongside LeBron James. Yet, even with such a formidable duo, this season proved that assembling star power alone is not enough; playoff success requires a complete, well-constructed roster, a truth brutally exposed by the Timberwolves. Minnesota, propelled by an enormous performance from center Rudy Gobert, advanced to the second round, where they await the winner of the other intense first-round series between the Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors.

(1) Los Angeles Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves (4): 96-103

The Lakers' elimination was largely attributable to a critical and exploitable weakness: their lack of a capable and playable center, particularly one who could withstand a physical playoff series. Coach JJ Redick seemed to lose faith in Jaxson Hayes early in the series, eventually benching him entirely in the decisive Game 5 and opting to start Dorian Finney-Smith, a smaller forward, in his place. Desperation even led to the surprising deployment of Maxi Kleber, who hadn't seen NBA action since late January when he was still with the Mavericks, against Minnesota's dominant big man in the crucial fourth quarter.

Rudy Gobert, a player often subject to criticism, responded with arguably his best game of the series, delivering when his team needed him most. He finished with a monstrous 27 points and 24 rebounds, a performance that seemed almost Wilt Chamberlain-esque against the undersized Lakers frontcourt. Gobert's impact was magnified by the Timberwolves' struggles from beyond the arc, where they shot a frigid 7-for-47. However, Gobert's interior dominance and nine offensive rebounds contributed significantly to Minnesota attempting 11 more shots than Los Angeles, a testament to their control of the paint.

This series exposed the Lakers' perceived defensive strength from earlier in the season as "fool's gold," particularly highlighting the unsustainable nature of their center play. While other issues plagued the Lakers, their fundamental deficit in size, athleticism, and physicality ultimately proved insurmountable in this five-game series loss to a Minnesota team built on those very attributes. Despite the presence of a hypothetical LeBron James and Luka Dončić tandem, the need for a playoff-ready center capable of effective pick-and-roll partnership and rim protection remains a glaring requirement for the Lakers moving forward. The Timberwolves, having now eliminated star pairings like Durant/Booker, Jokic/Murray, and James/Doncic over the past two postseasons, demonstrated the power of their collective size and depth.

(3) Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets (2): 116-131

Earlier on the same night, across the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets refused to let their season end quietly. Trailing the Golden State Warriors 3-1 heading into Game 5, the young Rockets squad delivered a dominant performance on both ends of the floor, securing a resounding 131-116 victory to force a Game 6. There was no sign of surrender from Houston; instead, they returned to fundamentals and dictated the game's tempo from the start, leading by as many as 31 points and never truly allowing the veteran Warriors team to threaten their control.

Houston's offensive attack was a balanced showcase, with all five starters reaching double-digit scoring. Fred VanVleet, seemingly taking responsibility after a tough Game 4, led the team with 26 points and set the tone early. Three Rockets starters ultimately scored 24 or more points, reflecting the team's effective, equal-opportunity offensive approach. Alperen Şengün had a standout game, recording 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists, narrowly missing a triple-double while also adding 2 steals and 2 blocks, showcasing his versatile impact. Defensively, the Rockets were aggressive and disruptive, led by Amen Thompson's five steals, collectively pressuring Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler, who combined for just 21 points on poor shooting.

For the Golden State Warriors, Game 5 was a defensive no-show. After controlling the series defensively in earlier games, holding Houston under 100 points twice, they allowed the Rockets to erupt for 40 first-quarter points and cross the 100-point threshold early in the third quarter. Warriors coach Steve Kerr seemed to concede the game relatively early, pulling his main stars with over 18 minutes left, resulting in limited minutes for Butler (25), Curry (23), and Draymond Green (18).

While the Warriors' third-stringers made a brief run that forced the Rockets' starters back onto the court and even incited a fourth-quarter skirmish, the outcome was never truly in doubt. The only positive takeaway for the Warriors was the preserved energy of their key players heading into Game 6. However, their lack of defensive focus and apparent willingness to extend the series against a desperate opponent raises questions heading back to San Francisco. The series now returns to the Bay Area for Game 6 on Friday night, with tensions undoubtedly heightened after the physical play and the high stakes of elimination for the Warriors.