Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated the NBA playoffs against LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first obstacle course, winning a 4-1 series victory with a 103-96 clinical victory.
Minnesota's French center Rudy Gobert played a dominant performance on both ends of the court on Wednesday, with the Lakers withdrawing from the playoffs for the second consecutive year, with 27 points and 24 rebounds.
The Wolves were promoted to the Western Conference semi-finals, against the champion of the Golden State game against the Houston Rockets.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were left to reflect on a disappointing short playoff season after a regular season that built an impressive momentum in February’s excellent deal.
The Lakers failed to gain real defense after Anthony Davis set out for Dallas and returned to them on Wednesday as Gobert dominated around the rim.
The Lakers soared a third seed after the arrival of Doncic, and he was also considered offensive, with James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves having just five 3-pointers between them.
"It feels great," Gobert told TNT TV after the victory. “We had a season of ups and downs, so it’s a lot to be here to play what we do.
"We only have a bunch of guys who want to win. Many people have experienced adversity throughout their careers and lives, and we love each other... Everything we've experienced throughout the season is ready for us."
Gobert's contribution scored 23 points from Julius Randle, while Anthony Edwards added 15 points with 11 rebounds and eight assists.
Doncic led the Lakers to score with 28 points, while Rui Hachimura hit with 23 points and James 22 points.
Rockets avoid eliminating warriors
In another playoff game Wednesday, Houston maintained the series against Golden State with a 131-116 defeat against the Warriors, narrowing the gap in the Western Conference Series to 3-2.
Fred Vanvleet scored 26 points, Amen Thompson scored 25 points and five steals, Dillon Brooks beat 24 points for the Rockets, when Warriors coach Steve Kerr waved the white flag and pulled Stephen Curry, the rest of the starters had 5:50 left in the third quarter.
The Rockets burst out as their four-game thriller was traumatizing, with their season in a difficult situation.
They linked 64.7% of the shots in the first quarter with a 40-24 lead.
Vanvleet drilled three of Houston's six first-quarter three-pointers, with the Rockets playing all 13 free throws in the opening blitz.
The Warriors seemed powerless, with Curry and Jimmy Butler failing to score in the opening quarter and the team turned the ball five times.
Curry's first basket was a three-pointer in the middle of the second quarter. However, the Warriors may have little offense against Houston's suffocating defense, with the Rockets leading 76-49 at the end of the half.
Kerr said he had no doubts about pulling the starter out in a potential championship game, a decision that gave 37-year-old Curry some rest - playing through a thumb injury - Draymond Green and Draymond Green and Butler who missed Game 3 due to a pelvic injury.
They can still end the series when they host their sixth game on Friday.
"We can't show it because of a lack of defensive focus and energy and hope to beat a great team at their home court," Kerr said. "They brought it to us - they were great tonight."
Curry scored 13 points and Butler scored 8 points for the Warriors. Moses Moody scored 25 points and led the Warriors' reserves with a late comeback bid, pulling them to 13 points in 13 points with the remaining five minutes left.
Then things got Chip again, Warriors reserve Pat Spencer popped up the top champion Houston center Alperen Sengun - the Rockets quit the game to end the five-game victory.
