While James was on the receiving end of some backlash in the first half for a play involving he and Anthony Edwards, he became the victim in the third quarter. As Edwards was shooting free throws with 31.8 seconds left in the third quarter, James went to box out four-time Defensive Player of the Year, Rudy Gobert.

Gobert has shown some real limitations in past postseasons, including but not limited to an inability to effectively guard smaller players on the perimeter. Maxwell Ogden of Lake Show Life suggested the Lakers space the floor in order to exploit the French native.

LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are now down 3-1 in their first-round series of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves following a 16-113 Game 4 loss in the Twin Cities on Sunday.