Conley’s Initial Concerns

mike Conley, the veteran point guard for the Timberwolves, initially expressed concerns about facing a Lakers team bolstered by the mid-season acquisition of Luka Dončić. The trade, which brought Dončić to Los Angeles from the Dallas Mavericks, sent shockwaves through the Western Conference. Conley recalled his initial reaction after witnessing Dončić’s early games with the Lakers:

How could thay let those two guys be on the same team? You spend 18 years working your a– off, and then something like this happens.
Mike Conley

Conley admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of facing a team featuring both Dončić and lebron James, fearing it would significantly hinder the Timberwolves’ playoff aspirations.

You’re just thinking,‘Oh,my god,we’re going to have to go through these guys at some point. Whether it’s first,second or third round,we’re going to have to beat the Lakers. And they have luka and LeBron. what are we going to do?
Mike Conley

Underdog Status and Shifting Perceptions

Entering the series, the Timberwolves were widely considered underdogs against the Lakers. Pundits questioned whether Minnesota’s frontcourt, featuring Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle, could contain the Lakers’ dynamic duo.Conley noted the prevailing sentiment around the league:

We have a shot. the West is wide open, and then they get Luka and that just made it 100 times harder. I think that was the sentiment around the league,not just us.
Mike Conley

Timberwolves’ Dominance in Clutch Moments

Despite being labeled one of the worst clutch teams during the regular season, the Timberwolves transformed into a formidable force in close games during the playoffs. In the three games deemed “clutch” by the NBA, Minnesota went undefeated, boasting the best offensive rating (170.0 points per 100 possessions) and the second-best defensive rating (82.4) in the playoffs. The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers by 42 points in the fourth quarter throughout the series.

edwards’ Bold Claim

Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ rising star, made a bold statement after the series-clinching victory, acknowledging James’ greatness while asserting his team’s triumph.

I mean, we beat the best player in the world. The best player ever.
Anthony Edwards

Individual Performances Shine

Throughout the series, various Timberwolves players stepped up at crucial moments. Edwards delivered a 43-point performance in Game 4, while randle provided consistent scoring and playmaking. McDaniels showcased his defensive prowess and offensive capabilities with a 30-point outing in Game 3.

In the decisive Game 5, it was Gobert’s turn to shine. After a quiet start to the series, Gobert exploded for a dominant performance, scoring 27 points on 12-of-15 shooting, grabbing 20 rebounds (nine offensive), and blocking two shots. Gobert’s performance included a dunk on dončić, a moment of vindication after being frequently targeted in highlight reels.

It feels great, but my vindication is not about beating a specific person; it’s about winning a championship. We’ve got a little more work to do for that.
rudy Gobert

RUDY GOBERT IS UNCONCIOUS. pic.twitter.com/K4u7Xl2abp

— Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) May 1, 2025

Coach Chris Finch praised Gobert’s professionalism and resilience, emphasizing his importance to the team’s success.

You can not like who he is,how he does it,what he looks like,etc. When you have this guy on your team, you understand what a professional and a winner is. he’s just such a competitor, as well.He doesn’t listen to the outside noise, we don’t listen to the outside noise.
Chris Finch

Randle,who emerged as an offensive stabilizer in his first season with Minnesota,averaged 22.6 points per game in the series, shooting efficiently from the field and beyond the arc.

Ther’s not a person in the world that can guard (Edwards) one-on-one. So teams are throwing everything at him. I always tell them, go be great. But if you need me,I’m right there for us.
Julius Randle

Celebrating the Victory

The Timberwolves celebrated their series victory, acknowledging the challenges and growth they experienced throughout the season. Finch highlighted the team’s resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

We are certainly going to celebrate this, because this team took a lot of s— through the season, and that was set against the backdrop of a really good run last year. But every team is different, and every team has to come together, and every team has to go through pain, and every team has to figure it out, and this team figured it out.
Chris Finch

Gobert echoed Finch’s sentiments, emphasizing the team’s collective resilience and determination.

We have a bunch of guys who have never had anything handed to them. We had a tough beginning of the season, some growing pains. But knowing this group of guys and knowing our mentality and how resilient we are, individually and collectively, I never doubted this group.
Rudy Gobert

As Edwards walked past the Lakers’ locker room, he mockingly chanted Shannon Sharpe’s famous “Lakers in five” prediction, underscoring the Timberwolves’ triumph and confidence.

Ant-Man, Batman, Superman. lakers in five.
Anthony Edwards