Timberwolves crush Lakers in playoffs as Anthony Edwards leads fearless run

Minnesota eliminates Los Angeles 4–1 as Ant-Man, Gobert, and Randle spark growing belief in West title chances.

Anthony Edwards (5) of the Minnesota Timberwolves goes for an uncontested layup against Los Angeles Lakers defenders during Game 5 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Photo by Jon Putman/Anadolu

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The Timberwolves crush Lakers narrative is no longer a fantasy—it’s a thunderous reality. As the final buzzer echoed through Crypto.com Arena on Wednesday night, Minnesota fans were free to bask in the laughter they’d held back for far too long.

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,” was the energy rippling through Timberwolves nation.

And who could blame them?

Heading into their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers, the sixth-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves were widely cast as disposable extras in a story dominated by stars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic. Much of the national conversation centered on the Hollywood team’s perceived destiny, not on the cold-blooded crew from Minneapolis. To many, Minnesota was merely a formality—a team to move past, not worry about.

Dismissing the Wolves was a mistake

From Game 1, the script began to unravel. Minnesota walked into Los Angeles and snagged an emphatic win. Yet even then, coverage remained skewed. The win was minimized—“they stole it,” pundits claimed—and the spotlight shifted immediately back to the Lakers. Coach J.J. Redick chalked it up to a lack of preparation. The Lakers, they said, would be fine.

They were not fine.

By the time Game 5 concluded, it was clear: the Timberwolves crush Lakers storyline had replaced every misguided assumption. Minnesota won the series 4–1, and it didn’t feel like an upset. It felt inevitable.

Minnesota reemerges as a real playoff threat

The Wolves may have bumbled early in the regular season, thanks in part to injuries and roster adjustments, but they rediscovered cohesion in time. Now, with a well-rounded mix of youthful energy and veteran poise, they look dangerous.

Coach Chris Finch has shaped a team that’s tough, physical, and fearless. The defense is tight. The energy is relentless. And at the heart of it all stands the irrepressible Anthony Edwards.

Ant-Man leads with charisma and confidence

No need for a “the.” Just Ant-Man. Anthony Edwards is not only the most charismatic star in the game—he’s the spiritual leader of this Timberwolves run. He believes his team is the best, regardless of who lines up against them.

That confidence is infectious. Even when he struggles, as he did in Game 5—missing all 11 of his three-point attempts—he keeps pushing. His presence forces defenses to stretch, and his swagger sets the tone. In that game, his poor shooting didn’t sink the Wolves because others stepped up.

Rudy Gobert delivers dominant performance

The much-maligned Rudy Gobert turned in one of the best games of his NBA career. He finished with 27 points and 24 rebounds, controlling the paint and acting as the emotional anchor Minnesota needed. If Wednesday’s Game 5 were your first exposure to the NBA, you might have mistaken Gobert for the league MVP.

He was everywhere—blocking shots, grabbing rebounds, setting bruising screens. The Wolves fed off his energy, and the Lakers had no answer.

Supporting cast shines behind the spotlight

Julius Randle—acquired in a bold offseason trade for Karl-Anthony Towns—showed exactly why Minnesota made that move. Once considered an erratic presence in New York, Randle now plays with purpose and precision, solidifying himself as the team’s secondary offensive weapon.

Naz Reid and Jaden McDaniels also contributed key minutes throughout the series. McDaniels’ defense on LeBron was a revelation. Reid’s hustle brought grit off the bench. This is not a one-man show. The Timberwolves are a collective force.

The Lakers collapse—and keep the spotlight

Still, even after the series ended, the media refused to shift focus. Lakers narratives dominated headlines. JJ Redick’s bizarre coaching decisions—like keeping Luka and the 40-year-old James on the court for the entirety of Game 4’s fourth quarter—were endlessly dissected. Redick himself didn’t help, commenting post-series that the Lakers needed to get into “championship shape,” subtly nodding toward Luka Doncic’s rumored conditioning issues.

There’s no denying it: the Lakers Media Industrial Complex never sleeps. But while talk shows autopsy the demise of LeBron’s latest run, the real story is being ignored: the Timberwolves crush Lakers, and they’re not done yet.

A serious Western Conference contender

Minnesota’s dismantling of the Lakers mirrors what they did last season when they shocked defending champions Denver in the postseason. This is a team that doesn’t care about storylines. They write their own.

Yes, they’re flawed. Yes, they’re young. But they’re fearless. Anthony Edwards plays every game as if the Wolves are 40-point favorites. His belief is contagious. And now, the league is on notice.

Even the Oklahoma City Thunder, loaded with young talent and coached to precision, must prepare for a Minnesota team that refuses to play the role of underdog anymore.

Beyond the noise, Wolves are built to last

This is no fluke. Minnesota’s blueprint is sustainable: a versatile offense, an elite defense, depth off the bench, and an identity built around grit and joy. That last part matters. They like each other. They play hard. They laugh. They win.

When Anthony Edwards quipped, “Ant-Man, Batman, Superman, Lakers in five!” as he walked out of Los Angeles, he wasn’t just talking trash—he was declaring that Minnesota isn’t intimidated by legends, branding, or big markets.

Don’t look away—this is happening

As media attention remains glued to what went wrong in Laker-land, don’t miss what’s going right in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves crush Lakers message isn’t just about one series—it’s a sign of what this team is building.

They don’t fear LeBron. They don’t fear Luka. They don’t fear narratives, expectations, or spotlights.

They don’t fear any man, man.

Ha.