After totaling 14 points and 25 rebounds through the first four games, Gobert destroyed the Lakers with 27 points on 12-for-15 shooting and 24 rebounds in the clincher. He became the fifth player in the past 20 seasons to post a 25-20 line in a closeout game, joining Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dirk Nowitzki and Shaquille O'Neal.

We're barreling toward the second round of the 2025 NBA playoffs. Six teams have already been eliminated, including one of the league's marquee franchises. The Los Angeles Lakers entered their first-round series with the Minnesota Timberwolves as a minus-196 favorite ("or 66.

What was meant to be a championship dream turned into an early playoff nightmare. The Lakers’ bold mid-season move to bring Luka Doncic to Los Angeles ended in a stunning first-round exit, leaving fans and analysts asking: what went wrong?