In nearly every way, the Lakers were outclassed by the Wolves. And now, after a disappointingly early exit, their next task is even more important: selling Doncic that this first-round loss was merely an aberration.

Rudy Gobert was dominating a Lakers team intentionally playing without a player taller than 6-foot-8. Rui Hachimura and LeBron James were pretty much going to be the tallest players on the floor for the Lakers all night,

After a wild NBA season that saw the Los Angeles Lakers start slow, add Luka Dončić and eventually surge to 50 wins and the West's third seed, they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been eliminated from the playoff series after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday night.