Underdog Timberwolves upset Lakers behind Edwards, Randle, and elite bench

Minnesota ends LA’s season in 5-game shocker despite being huge underdogs going into the series

The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t supposed to be here.

According to ESPN’s panel of 10 analysts, not one picked them to win their first-round series against the Los Angeles Lakers. Most had the Lakers in five, six, or seven games. On paper, the Timberwolves were outmatched: LeBron James and Luka Doncic led a top-heavy but star-studded Lakers team expected to steamroll their way to the second round.

Instead, Minnesota didn’t just win the series – they dominated it. Minnesota capitalized on team chemistry and strategic execution to control the series.

The Timberwolves' victories were marked by consistent performances:

• Game 1: 117–95 win in Los Angeles
• Game 3: 116–104 win in Minnesota
• Game 4: 116–113 win in Minnesota
• Game 5: 103–96 win in Los Angeles

Their only loss came in Game 2, a 94–85 defeat.

The Timberwolves dismantled the Lakers in five games, closing them out with a tough Game 5 win on the road. Minnesota outplayed Los Angeles in every area of the game: they were quicker in transition, stronger on the glass, sharper in their sets, and more connected defensively. It was a comprehensive, no-doubt-about-it series win — the kind that turns skeptics into believers.

“Nobody picked us. We saw everything.”

That’s what Anthony Edwards said after Game 5, and he wasn’t exaggerating. The Timberwolves were largely disrespected in national discourse heading into the playoffs, viewed as a feel-good story after an up-and-down regular season rather than a real threat. But inside the locker room, that doubt was fuel. The Timberwolves took it personally, and they responded with purpose.

In five games, the Timberwolves held the Lakers to just 103.2 points per game, the second-lowest mark of any team in the first round. They crushed them on the boards (+8.4 per game), generated more fastbreak points (+6.6 per game), and executed cleaner offensive sets, often using misdirection to manipulate LA’s defense and create clean looks.

Minnesota’s identity – defensive toughness, ball movement, and unselfish play – never wavered. And it overwhelmed a Laker team that relied too heavily on isolation from LeBron and Luka.

Julius Randle flips the narrative

No Timberwolf had more to prove entering this postseason than Julius Randle.

Traded for Karl-Anthony Towns at the deadline, Randle arrived in Minnesota with a cloud of playoff failure hovering over him. His previous stints with the Knicks were marred by inefficient scoring and defensive lapses. But this time, the moment didn’t swallow him.

Randle was tremendous throughout the series, averaging 22.6 points and 7.8 rebounds on 49% shooting. He scored 20+ points in four of the five games and was particularly vital when Edwards got blitzed in pick-and-rolls or trapped off the catch. He became Minnesota’s release valve — someone who could isolate against mismatches, hit midrange shots, and punish switches.

In Game 5, Randle posted 23 points and 5 boards, matching the Lakers’ physicality and responding to every mini-run with a tough bucket. It was a performance that not only helped close the door on LA but also redefined how people talk about him as a playoff performer.

Jaden McDaniels: From role player to a solid 3rd option

Jaden McDaniels has always been known for his defense. But in this series, he showed off the other side of his game.

McDaniels averaged 17.4 points in the five games – a significant jump from his regular-season average of 10.1. His 30-point outburst in Game 3 was the breakout moment, but it was the consistency that stood out more. He hit spot-up threes, attacked closeouts, and even created off the dribble when needed.

Defensively, he was the primary Luka Doncic defender in most matchups and made life difficult for the 26-year-old superstar. McDaniels’ ability to be a two-way presence gives Minnesota a third dynamic option – something every championship team needs.

The bench unit made its mark and proved itself

Minnesota's bench unit, featuring Naz Reid, Donte DiVincenzo, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker – arguably the best in the league – came through for Minnesota.

Reid, DiVincenzo, and Alexander-Walker formed the best second unit in the series — and perhaps in the league. Reid chipped in 11.6 points per game in all 5 games off the bench, providing floor spacing and physicality as the backup big. DiVincenzo, the 2022 NBA champion, brought his usual defensive energy, three-point shooting, and smart cuts, while Alexander-Walker hit timely shots and proved to be an elite on-ball defender.

All three could start for most NBA teams. Together, they gave Minnesota an edge that the Lakers simply couldn’t match when their stars sat. Their collective impact underscored the Timberwolves' depth and resilience, and together with veteran starter Mike Conley (who also hit a big shot late in Game 5), the Timberwolves ended up winning the series.

Gobert finds his moment

Rudy Gobert was quiet in the first four games of the series, which was borderline ineffective at times.

But in Game 5, with Edwards struggling and LA blitzing every ball screen, Gobert reminded everyone why Minnesota traded for him. He finished with 27 points, 21 rebounds, and three blocks on 11-of-13 shooting. It was his best playoff performance in years, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Gobert’s physicality in the paint overwhelmed the Lakers’ smaller frontcourt, and his offensive rebounding (eight) created second-chance opportunities that swung the game. While he may not be the focal point every night, this was a reminder that when locked in and depending on matchups, he can still change games.

Anthony Edwards, the flamboyant superstar

Even with a 0-for-11 night from three in Game 5, Anthony Edwards was the best player in the series.

He averaged 26.8 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 6.2 assists – but stats don’t tell the whole story. He controlled the tempo, made the right reads when doubled, and never let the moment get too big. His Game 4 masterpiece — 43 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists on the road – was the most dominant single performance of the series.

This wasn’t just a great young player having a good stretch. This was a future face-of-the-league moment. In a series featuring LeBron James and Luka Doncic, Edwards looked like the best player on the floor. The passing of the torch isn’t always clean or scripted. But it felt like it happened here. Edwards, over his last 2 playoff runs, has knocked out Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Nikola Jokic, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic. Now that’s an impressive playoff resume at just 23 years old, and he’s likely going to add more in the years to come.

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Beating the Lakers wasn’t just about advancing to the next round. It was about validation. It was about shedding the underdog label. It was about proving that this Timberwolves team isn’t some overachieving feel-good story – they’re a legitimate contender that can go deep into the playoffs this season.

Minnesota’s identity is strong, their chemistry is undeniable, and their defense travels. With Edwards emerging, Randle stepping up, McDaniels evolving, and the bench thriving, the Timberwolves just sent a loud howl to the rest of the NBA.