CNN
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Rudy Gobert recorded two playoff career highs, lifting the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5, reaching the NBA Western Conference semi-finals.
Goatbert – had career postseason marks in scoring and rebounding – and the Timberwolves won 103-96 to win their first round series 4-1. It was their third consecutive win over the Lakers, meaning the Wolves were the first in franchise history to win a playoff series in the back-to-back season.
Minnesota kept the doors open throughout the game as the team struggled to make shots, but the Lakers couldn’t take advantage of it.
“We didn’t shoot the ball well, but we thought we were a tougher team, both mentally and physically,” T-wolves head coach Chris Finch reflected in a post-game press conference.
Goat made Hercules’ efforts to help push the wolves into the second round in their best postseason match. The French center notched team high 27 points, game high 24 rebounds and two blocks in the evening.
The performance may have been surprising as Gobert did not register more than six points in any of the previous four games in the series. Finch discussed the criticism Gortbert received and the team’s response to his performance after the victory.
“Rudy is the best winner. He wins. You don’t like who he is, how he is, how he does, what he looks like, etc.
“He doesn’t listen to the noise on the outside. We don’t listen to the noise on the outside. And no one is as happy as Rudy as his teammate now. In particular, Anthony (Edwards) let everyone on the floor know that it was Rudy’s night and no one was trying to stop him.”
Star shooting guard Edwards spent a relatively quiet night by his standards, scoring 15 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three steals in a 19-5 shooting. He was enthusiastic in an interview about the meaning of moving forward in the playoffs with LeBron James and the Lakers.
James, who scored 22 points in the night, went sole after losing.
“For me, since my first appearance in the NBA Finals, in 2007, the moment I got a part of it and got the chance to experience that feeling, it was a disappointment that every season I didn’t make it to the finals or reach the championship,” he said.
At 40 years old, James is the oldest active player in the NBA. The four-time NBA champion was uncertain about his future when asked after the game.
“I don’t know. I don’t have an answer,” James replied. “I’m just sitting with my family, my wife, my support group, talking through it, seeing what happens, I just want to continue playing, and having a conversation. Honestly, I don’t know the answer right now.”
The Lakers’ sudden exit means James and the Company’s decision time, but Minnesota will then face the winners of the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors series. The Warriors are currently leading the 3-2 in the Top 7 Series and will move forward if they win Game 6 at home on Friday night.
