Refusing to reverse! Gobert 27+24+2, Doncic 28+9+7, Randall set a record, goodbye James

On May 1, 2025, in the first round of the playoffs, the Lakers played against the Timberwolves at home. For the Lakers who were behind 1-3 in the series, they must win this game, otherwise they will be eliminated. The Lakers changed their teams, Finney Smith replaced Hayes to start, Lakers started: Doncic + Reeves + Hachimura Ai + James + Finney Smith, and the Timberwolves started: Conley + Edwards + McDan + Randle + Gobert.

In the first quarter, Randle shot + Gobert scored 4 points in a row, the Timberwolves 6-0, Doncic and Reeves scored 4 points in a row, Randle 2+1, the Timberwolves 9-4, Doncic made 1 of 2 free throws, McDann dunk + Gobert made 1 of 2 free throws, the Timberwolves led 7 points, Hachimura Ai scored 4 points in a row, Randle, Divincenzo and Walker scored 3 three-pointers in a row, the Timberwolves led 12 points, Finney Smith and Reeves scored, Edwards and Walker responded, the difference was 11 points, James made 1 of 2 free throws, Reed and Gobert scored 4 points in a row, the Timberwolves led 14 points, James and Klebert chased the difference to 10 points, Gobert made a layup, Doncic made 3 free throws, and the Timberwolves led 31-22 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter, James dunk + Reeves made a layup, and the difference reached 5 points, Divincenzo made 1 of 2 free throws, James 2+1, the difference was 3 points, Gobert and Edwards scored 4 points in a row, Vanderbilt and Hachimura scored 5 points in a row, and the difference reached 2 points, Edwards and Conley expanded the difference to 7 points, Hachimura scored three-pointers, Walker responded with three-pointers, Timberwolves led 7 points, Finneysmith and Doncic scored 3 points, Divincenzo, Edwards and Gobert expanded the difference to 10 points, James dunked, Gobert responded with a dunk, and the difference was still 10 points, Reeves and Doncic scored 6 points, Doncic returned to the locker room due to a waist injury, Divincenzo and Walker scored 4 points in a row, and the Timberwolves led 59-49 at the end of the half.

Gobert scored 7 of 10 points and 8 rebounds, becoming the surprise, Edwards scored 3 of 8 shots, 10 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals, and Walker scored 10 points and 2 assists. On the Lakers, Doncic scored 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, James scored 4 of 9 shots, 10 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals, Hachimura Ai scored 10 points, 2 rebounds, and Reeves scored 9 points.

The third quarter, Doncic can play, he continues to start, James scored 4 points in a row, McDan and Gobert made 3 free throws, the Timberwolves led by 9 points, Doncic and Hachimurazui three-pointer, McDan and Gobert responded, the difference was 7 points, James, Doncic and Hachimurazui scored, Edwards, Conley and Gobert responded, the difference was 6 points, Doncic scored 7 points in a row, Edwards made 1 of 2 free throws + Randall scored 4 points in a row, the difference was 4 points, Hachimurazui, Finney Smith, Doncic overtook 2 points 6-0, Gobert dunk, James made 1 of 2 free throws, Gobert made a layup, the Timberwolves took the lead 1 of 81-80 after the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Reed made 1 of 2 free throws, the Timberwolves led by 2 points, Hachimura made a layup, Randall made a mid-range shot, the difference was still 2 points, Reeves overtook 1 point, Randall and Gobert made 3 free throws 4 free throws, 2 points, Doncic made 1 of 2 free throws + 1 point, McDan made 2 free throws + Gobert made a makeover, the Timberwolves led by 3 points, and after the suspension, both sides missed consecutive three-pointers, Randall broke through and threw the score, the difference was 5 points, and the timeout was back James made a three-pointer, and the difference reached 2 points. Randall and Edwards scored 4 points in a row, with a difference of 6 points, Hachimura Ai three-pointer, Conley responded with three-pointer, and the difference was still 6 points, with 1 minute and 22 seconds left in the game, Vincent missed 2 of 2 free throws, Randall made 8 points, and there were 38 seconds left in the game. After the timeout, James made a layup. Randall made 1 of 2 free throws but Reed got the rebound. The Timberwolves no longer attacked. The game ended, and the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 103-96 and refused to reverse.

Gobert scored 27 points, 24 rebounds and 2 blocks, scoring and rebounding at the same time set a playoff career record. He achieved a 20+20 feat for the first time in the playoffs. Randall scored 8 of 16 and scored 23 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists, and scored 20+ in four consecutive games. Edwards scored 5 of 19 and scored 15 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and missed the shooting. Walker scored 10 points and 3 assists, Conley scored 8 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists, and Divincenzo scored 9 points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.

Doncic scored 28 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists, James scored 9 points, 22 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists and 2 steals, Yamura Ai made 9 of 16 (5 of 8 three-pointers), scored 23 points and 4 rebounds, Reeves scored 5 of 14 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Timberwolves missed the accuracy of three-pointers in this game, making 7 of 47 shots, but they had a huge advantage in the interior, won 17 rebounds, and scored completely in the interior, so they won the game. After this game, the Timberwolves eliminated the Lakers 4-1 and completed the following draws.

Doncic and James both gave their best in this round of games, but Doncic was frequently targeted on the defensive end. The 40-year-old James lacked physical strength. If he exerted his strength in the first half, he would be exhausted in the second half. The Lakers need to adjust and upgrade the lineup this summer.