It s not accidental, why are the Lakers eliminated in the first round? Five major defeats were exposed, and a systematic collapse. The team should summarize it carefully

On May 1, 2025, the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves 96-103, and were eliminated 1-4 in the total score, ending the first round of the playoffs for two consecutive years. This failure is by no means accidental. Five fatal defeats completely defeated the Purple and Gold Legion and handed over the "Black Seven Miracles".

The failure: the inside is vacuumed, Gobert becomes the "overlord" in the penalty area

Since the Lakers traded Davis Davis, the stubborn disease of weak inside has not been cured. Facing Gobert of the Timberwolves, Lakers coach Redick insisted on using the five-square lineup of "Hamura home run center", but was completely crushed by his opponent. Gobert scored 27 points and 24 rebounds (9 frontcourt rebounds), and 13 dunks were like entering the unmanned realm. The Lakers lost 17 rebounds in the game and lost 40-56 in the penalty area. The inside defense is useless, allowing the Timberwolves to easily get a second offensive opportunity. This shortcoming has become the core crux of the Lakers' loss.

Fault 2: Core injury + physical exhaustion, Zhan Dong was unable to support him alone

Doncic played with a back injury. Although he fought for a quasi-triple double-double with 28 points, 7 rebounds and 9 assists, his back injury seriously limited his breakthrough efficiency, and the series error rate was as high as 4.5 times. James, 40, averaged 41 minutes per game. G5 made a key three-pointer in the final quarter and chased the gap to 2 points, but he was overdrawn in the last 3 minutes without a single point. The two core players showed signs of fatigue, while the role players failed to support in time - Reeves made 2 of 10 three-pointers, and the disadvantages of the Lakers' excessive reliance on dual-core were completely exposed under high-intensity confrontation.

Fault 3: The referee's controversy and injury turning point, the balance of fate tilted

G5 in the second quarter, Doncic was pulled by Divinchenzo and left the field due to injury. The referee did not upgrade this action to a malicious foul, which directly disrupted the Lakers' rhythm. Looking back at the series, Doncic was missed in the final quarter of G4 and was fouled, and the controversy over the scale of this game once again aroused public dissatisfaction. The double blow of injuries and punishment not only weakens the Lakers' combat power, but also severely damages players' morale at the psychological level, becoming a key turning point in the game.

Fault Four: Tactical stubbornness, Redick's "suicide" employment

Redick's stubbornness in insisting on five small lineups is puzzling. Facing Gobert's absolute height, the Lakers neither used traditional centers to protect the basket nor adjusted their strategies in time to limit their opponents to rebound. After replacing Kleber in the last quarter, the defense collapsed further and was completely torn apart by the Timberwolves' inside impact. The tactics are rigid and slow to adapt, and the coaching staff's decision-making mistakes directly accelerated the defeat.

The five defeats: three-pointers were silent, and the offensive methods were single. The Lakers' three-point shooting percentage was only 29.7%. Reeves and other shooters collectively missed the accuracy. Although Hachimura made 5 of 8 three-pointers, they were unable to support themselves. In contrast, even though the Timberwolves made only 7 of 47 three-pointers, they suppressed the Lakers with their efficient inside offense and fast attack. The Lakers rely too much on outside shooting, and the strong attack in the inside is weak. Once the touch is cold, they fall into offensive stagnation. The weakness of single tactics is accurately targeted by the Timberwolves.

From the inside loss to the core exhaustion, from referee disputes to tactical misconduct, the Lakers' defeat was a systematic collapse. After being eliminated in the first round for two consecutive years, the Purple and Gold Legion must face the lineup defects, tactical loopholes and management shortcomings, otherwise the shame of "Black Seven" may become another scar on the long road to reconstruction.