“If LeBron comes back from 3-1 at 40 I don’t wanna even hear about a GOAT debate ” wrote Dwight Howard on X. After the duo of LeBron James and newly acquired Luka Doncic secured the 3rd seed on the Western Conference chart, there was some hope for them to be tough competition against Anthony Edwards and co. Instead, after the record was tied 1-1 in the ongoing playoff series, the Timberwolves won one game, and then another. If the Lakers lose in Game 5, then their journey comes to an end. A 3-1 deficit has been overcome only 13 times in previous NBA Playoffs, and only once in the Lakers’ franchise history. However, if anyone can do it, it is LeBron James. Therefore, the player’s availability is a must for Game 5. Fortunately, from an injury standpoint, fans have nothing to worry about.
According to the Los Angeles Lakers Injury Report, as highlighted by ESPN, LeBron James’ name is nowhere to be found. This is good news, as it indicates that the player’s trouble with his hip has not re-surged. All the starters for the Lakers are free from any injury woes. The only player listed on the report is Maxi Kleber, who last played for the team back in late January.
Till mid-April, LeBron James had dealt with a left groin strain. The same caused him to miss only one game this month, which was the matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers. Just as the troubles with the groin seemed to be behind him, LeBron James next sustained a left hip flexor strain. Fortunately, he was listed as only ‘Probable’ for one game because of it, and the injury has not come up in the report since then, as highlighted by RotoWire.
Apr 11, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) passes against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Meanwhile, for the Minnesota Timberwolves, only one player is declared ‘OUT’. Rob Dillingham, who sustained a sprained left ankle before the beginning of the playoff series, is set to miss his 6th consecutive game. The player had also missed the Timberwolves’ season finale game against the Utah Jazz around mid-April.
In light of this information, not many changes are expected to take place in the starting lineups of either franchise.
What will the starting lineup and depth chart for the Lakers-Timberwolves game look like?
Since Maxi Kleber has been absent since late January, the Lakers have already adjusted to playing without him. Furthermore, given the 3.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists he averaged over 34 games in the 2024-25 season, the Lakers were not missing out on much. Therefore, in light of this, the starting lineup for the Los Angeles Lakers, for Game 5, is expected to look like this:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Luka Doncic
Gabe Vincent
Austin Reaves
Shake Milton
Jordan Goodwin
SG
Austin Reaves
Jordan Goodwin
Dalton Knecht
Gabe Vincent
Rui Hachimura
SF
Rui Hachimura
LeBron James
Jordan Goodwin
Dalton Knecht
Dorian Finney-Smith
PF
LeBron James
Jarred Vanderbilt
Dorain Finney-Smith
Rui Hachimura
Markieff Morris
C
Jaxson Hayes
Dorian Finney-Smith
Alex Len
Jarred Vanderbilt
Markieff Morris
Similarly, given the update for the Minnesota Timberwolves, their Injury Report, for Game 5, will look like this:
POSITION
STARTER
2ND
3RD
4TH
5TH
PG
Mike Conley
Donte DiVincenzo
Rob Dillingham (OUT)
Anthony Edwards
Bones Hyland
SG
Anthony Edwards
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Donte DiVincenzo
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaylen Clark
SF
Jaden McDaniels
Terrence Shannon Jr.
Jaylen Clark
Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Donte DiVincenzo
PF
Julius Randle
Naz Reid
Jaden McDaniels
Joe Ingles
Leonard Miller
C
Rudy Gobert
Naz Reid
Luke Garza
Julius Randle
Leonard Miller
The Los Angeles Lakers or the Minnesota Timberwolves? Who will you be rooting for? Let us know in the comments section down below.
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