Aurélie Sacchelli, Media365, published on Thursday 01 May 2025 at 8:15 am
Author of 27 points and 24 rebounds, Rudy Gobert greatly contributed to the 96-103 victory by Minnesota Timberwolves on the prosecution of the Los Angeles Lakers, which are therefore eliminated in the first round of the play-offs. For their part, the Houston Rockets beat the Golden State Warriors 131-116 and return to 2-3 in the series.
The first half -season of the Lebron James – Luka Dononic duo will not end in a champion title. The Los Angeles Lakers, third of the regular season, were eliminated in the first round of the NBA play-offs by Minnesota, sixth, which signs the first surprise of this 2025 final phase. Led 3-1, the Californians were obliged to prevail at home to stay alive in this series, but they failed, bowing 96-103. The Lakers were unable to face the Wolves, who led almost the whole match. Wolves carried by their French pivot, Rudy Gobert, who had never been so good in 74 play-off games (with Utah and Minnesota). He indeed broke his record of points (27) and his record of rebounds (24) during this meeting where he feasted in front of Lakers who had decided to play “Small Ball”, that is to say without real pivot in the racket. While he had never scored more than 6 points in the first four games in the series, the 32 -year -old Frenchman came out of his torpor and greatly contributed to the qualification of his team, notably succeeding in 8 dunks. The Wolves offensive leader Anthony Edwards was not in a big day of address, with 15 points and a horrible 0/11 at 3 points, but he compensated with 11 rebounds and 8 assists. Julius Randle added 23 points. Opposite, the Lakers will only have led for a few minutes at the end of the third quarter and mid -last, but never more than two points. They have finished the match, and therefore their season, taking a 15-8. Luka Doncic scored 28 points, LeBron James 22 and Rui Hachimura 23. But the Lakers are now on vacation, with a lot of work to come during the summer for the leaders, who will have to find the best formula to support the Duoic-James. A LeBron James who will celebrate his 41 years at the end of the year. As for the Wolves, here they are in the conference semi-finals for the second year in a row and the third time in their history (franchise created in 1989)!
Houston rose
But they do not yet know their opponent, because Houston managed to stay alive by beating Golden State 131-116 at home. Led 3-1, the Rockets had no choice but to prevail, and they fulfilled their mission, without trembling. There was indeed not really a match, because the Warriors only led a few points at the start of the game, before exploding completely. At the end of the first quarter, Houston was already leading 40-24, and the Texans dug the gap until the third quarter (+31), before releasing the pressure. A one -way match, therefore, which saw the Trio Fred Vanvleet – Amen Thompson – Dillon Brooks finish with 26, 25 and 24 points respectively. On the side of the Warriors, who quickly threw the in the towel, only Moses Moody exceeded 15 points (25). Stephen Curry only played 23 minutes, for 13 points and 7 assists. But the Californians will have another match ball on Friday, this time at home.
NBA / PLAY-OFFS 2025
Conference
Cleveland Cavaliers (1) – Miami Heat (8) : 4-0
Indiana Pacers (4) – Milwaukee Bucks (5) : 4-1
Boston Celtics (2) – Orlando Magic (7) : 4-1
New York Knicks (3) – Detroit Pistons (6) : 3-2
Western conference
Oklahoma City Thunder (1) – Memphis Grizzlies (8) : 4-0
Denver Nuggets (4) – Los Angeles Clippers (5) : 3-2
Houston Rockets (2) – Golden State Warriors (7) : 2-3
Los Angeles Lakers (3) – Minnesota Timberwolves (6) : 1-4
Stats of Rudy Gobert (min): 39 minutes of play, 27 points (12/15 at the shots including 0 shot at 3pts, 3/6 with free throws), 24 rebounds, 2 against, 4 faults
