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[Saba Sports News] Moments after the Lakers’ season ended with a 103-96 Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeBron James offered a parting message to rising star Anthony Edwards.
As the Timberwolves advanced and the Lakers made history as the first No. 3 seed in franchise history to miss the Western Conference semifinals, James told Edwards, “Make that next step now. Come on.”
Edwards delivered a strong all-around performance with 15 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and three blocks, but it was Rudy Gobert who dominated with 27 points, 24 rebounds, and two blocks, overwhelming the Lakers’ front line.
Luka Doncic, who briefly exited with a back injury, returned to post 28 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Rui Hachimura chipped in 23 points, while LeBron James finished with 22 points, seven boards, and six assists.
The Timberwolves now await the winner of the Warriors-Rockets series, with Golden State up 3-2.
After the loss, James was asked about the Lakers’ lack of size—a clear disadvantage against Minnesota’s frontcourt of Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid, who helped secure a 54-37 rebounding edge.
But James declined to speculate, recalling the fallout from Anthony Davis’ past comments about the need for a center, “No comment. My guy, AD, said what he needed, and then he was gone the following week.”
“I put that uniform on every night. I give it everything I have—that’s all that matters.”
The Lakers had attempted to address their size concerns with a trade for Hornets center Mark Williams, but it fell through after Williams failed his physical. Some have questioned whether the outcome would’ve been different had the deal gone through—or if Davis had never been traded for Doncic.
James, in his 22nd season, averaged 24.4 points, 8.2 assists, and 7.8 rebounds during the regular season. He upped his game in the playoffs with averages of 25.4 points, 9.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.8 blocks against Minnesota.