Lakers vs. Timberwolves live score: Updated Game 5 results, highlights from 2025 NBA Playoffs

By | April 30, 2025
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Just months after acquiring Luka Doncic, the Lakers are on the brink of a first-round exit. 

The sixth-seeded Timberwolves own a 3-1 series lead over LeBron James and company coming into Wednesday night, with Anthony Edwards seeking to grow the list of stars he’s beaten in the playoffs throughout his young career coming off a 43-point performance in Game 4. 

So far in the series, some of the Lakers’ best efforts have gone for naught. Doncic has scored over 30 points in three of the four games, while James has at least 20 points in three of the four. But Los Angeles has only been able to pull out a Game 2 victory in which it held Minnesota to 85 points. In the two matchups since, the Timberwolves’ scoring depth has been too much for a Lakers team that’s heavily relying on its starters.

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Edwards has been the focal point of the Timberwolves’ success. His huge Game 4 performance was the headliner, but the young guard has also displayed his all-around improvements, totaling 23 assists, 31 rebounds, and just six turnovers in the series so far. Beyond Edwards, Julius Randle (22.5 points per game), Jaden McDaniels (19.8 points per game), and Naz Reid (13.8 points per game) have all stepped their games up to the playoff stage, as well.

If Wednesday’s matchup results in a Lakers loss, the team would enter a fascinating offseason with a 40-year-old James and prime Doncic on the roster β€” but first, the two superstars will seek to extend their season another day. Meanwhile, one more win would send Edwards and the Timberwolves to the second round for the second consecutive season.

The Sporting News is tracking live updates and highlights as the Timberwolves take on the Lakers in Game 5 of the teams’ first-round series. Follow along with the action below.

STREAM: Watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves live with Sling TV

Lakers vs. Timberwolves live score

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Lakers vs. Timberwolves highlights from Game 5 of 2025 NBA playoffs

(All times ET)

11:09 p.m. β€” It’s back to a double-digit lead for Minnesota. Anthony Edwards is getting to the line often, and Gobert remains efficient around the rim. For every Lakers run, the Timberwolves have had an answer.

11:07 p.m. β€” Luka Doncic airballed a wide-open transition 3-pointer and is now 1-6 from the floor.

11:05 p.m. β€” Los Angeles is doing everything it can to make up the difference in total shots from 10 Timberwolves offensive rebounds. The Lakers are within three as the second quarter rolls on.

11:00 p.m. β€” Heading into a timeout with around seven minutes remaining in the first half, Minnesota leads 44-37. The Lakers are making it a point to double Anthony Edwards, who has just six points, but the rest of the Timberwolves are carrying the load. 

Rui Hachimura is up to a team-high 10 points for the Lakers. 

10:55 p.m. β€” Gobert is up to 11 points, taking full advantage of the Lakers’ small units. He’s 5-5 from the floor.

10:53 p.m. β€” Here come the Lakers. They open the second quarter on a 7-1 run to make it a three-point deficit, with James’ eight points leading the charge. 

Among those in early foul trouble: Luka Doncic (2), Austin Reaves (2), Julius Randle (3), Jaden McDaniels (3) and Rudy Gobert (2). 

End of first quarter: Timberwolves 31, Lakers 22

10:43 p.m. β€” At the end of the first frame, it’s been all Timberwolves for the most part. L.A. has lacked energy in an elimination game, and its star duo is shooting a combined 1-8 from the floor. Doncic brings the Lakers within nine points with three free throws at the end of the quarter.

10:39 p.m. β€” Minnesota is maintaining its double-digit lead despite 3-14 shooting from deep. 

10:37 p.m. β€” Maxi Kleber is officially making his Lakers debut in an elimination game. The former Maverick is back on the floor, and Los Angeles will hope his size and shooting will provide a spark. 

10:36 p.m. β€” Kyrie Irving, the former teammate of LeBron James and Luka Doncic, is courtside for tonight’s matchup. 

10:30 p.m. β€” The Timberwolves are out to a double-digit advantage in the first quarter, up 23-11. The Lakers’ small-ball lineup is being exposed, as Randle and Gobert have a combined 13 points and four rebounds. Both sides are cold from 3-point land to start.

10:23 p.m. β€” The Lakers are facing an early deficit and struggling to contain Minnesota’s size, but Rui Hachimura gets the home crowd going with a nasty left-handed jam over Rudy Gobert.

10:18 p.m. β€” Rudy Gobert has a major size advantage on both ends to begin this game. The Lakers went small, with Jaxson Hayes out of the starting lineup.

10:14 p.m. β€” They’ve tipped off in crypto.com Arena. Julius Randle opens the scoring with a midrange bucket. 

Pregame

9:43 p.m. β€” The starters for Game 5:

Timberwolves:

  • Mike Conley
  • Anthony Edwards
  • Jaden McDaniels
  • Julius Randle
  • Rudy Gobert

Lakers:

  • Luka Doncic
  • Austin Reaves
  • Dorian Finney-Smith
  • LeBron James
  • Rui Hachimura

9:27 p.m. β€” LeBron James also seems pretty loose for Game 5, rapping Eminem’s “The Way I Am” to himself during warmups.

9:08 p.m. β€” Lakers head coach JJ Redick, who kept his starters in the game for the entire second half in Game 4, didn’t take it kindly when asked pregame whether he’d lean on his assistant for subbing decisions in Game 5.

“You think I don’t talk to my assistants about substitutions every single timeout?” Redick said before storming out.

8:36 p.m. β€” Anthony Edwards looks relaxed, just a win away from sending the Lakers home.

8:17 p.m. β€” LeBron James and Luka Doncic have both famously been at their best in elimination games. Will they keep Los Angeles afloat tonight?

8:14 p.m. β€” Maxi Kleber, who the Lakers acquired from the Mavericks in the Luka Doncic-Anthony Davis trade, is seeking to make his Los Angeles debut tonight. Kleber, an eight-year veteran, has been out since Jan. 25 with a foot injury. If he plays, he could give the Lakers an extra shooter.

8:12 p.m. β€” Fresh off his 43-point game last time out, Anthony Edwards is in the building for Game 5.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves start time

  • Date: Wednesday, April 30
  • Time: 10:00 p.m. ET

Game 5 between Los Angeles and Minnesota will begin at 10 p.m. ET. The matchup will be played at crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

How to watch Lakers vs. Timberwolves Game 5

  • TV channel: TNT, truTV
  • Live stream: Max, Sling

TNT and truTV will broadcast Lakers vs. Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Those who need an alternate viewing option can also stream on Max or Sling.

Lakers vs. Timberwolves schedule

Date Game Time (ET) TV/Live stream
April 19 Game 1: Timberwolves 117, Lakers 95 β€” β€”
April 22 Game 2: Lakers 94, Timberwolves 85 β€” β€”
April 25 Game 3: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 104 β€” β€”
April 27 Game 4: Timberwolves 116, Lakers 113 β€” β€”
April 30 Game 5 10 p.m. TNT, Sling
May 2 Game 6* TBD TBD
May 4 Game 7* TBD TBD

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