May 1, 2025: What the Lakers’ Exit Means for the, the League, and Bettors Everywhere
The Los Angeles Lakers’ 2024–25 campaign came to a stunning and abrupt end Wednesday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves eliminated them in five games, winning 103–96 in a physical, bruising Game 5. Rudy Gobert was dominant, tallying 27 points and an eye-popping 24 rebounds — an NBA postseason record — while Luka Dončić and LeBron James couldn’t quite summon enough to extend their season.
But the loss on the court was only part of the fallout.
A $100,000 Misfire: The Bettors’ Favorite Goes Down Early
Heading into the playoffs, more money had been wagered on the Lakers to win the NBA Finals than on any other team at several major sportsbooks. They were near -200 favorites to beat the Timberwolves in Round 1 and were heavily backed to win the series in six games — the most popular bet at ESPN BET.
The midseason trade for Dončić reignited title hopes and betting action alike. The Lakers’ title odds at some books shortened from 40-1 to 13-1 overnight, and nearly 50% of all futures bets on Feb. 2 — the day after the trade — were placed on L.A. By playoff time, over a quarter of the Finals money at FanDuel sat on the purple and gold. The single biggest Finals bet at BetMGM? $100,000 on the Lakers at 10-1.
All of it? Gone. With one playoff win to show.
On-Court Collapse and Off-Court Questions
Dončić’s offensive brilliance (28 points, 9 assists, 7 rebounds in Game 5) couldn’t mask his defensive shortcomings, which analysts — notably Charles Barkley — were quick to highlight. LeBron, at 41, gamely added 22 points but was clearly limited by a back injury. The Lakers led briefly in the third quarter before being outworked and outmuscled down the stretch.
The Timberwolves’ physicality, depth, and rebounding dominance (54–37 edge) told the real story of the series.
And now, the Lakers enter the offseason with a sobering list of questions:
- Is Dončić truly the two-way cornerstone L.A. needs, or will his defensive issues continue to be a playoff liability?
- How much longer can LeBron carry the load, physically and emotionally?
- Can this roster be retooled quickly enough to contend again, or will a larger reset be required?
The Cost of Belief
This wasn’t just a basketball loss — it was a seismic misfire in the world of sports betting. Public confidence in the Lakers had been soaring for months. Their early exit didn’t just silence the crowd at Crypto.com Arena — it delivered a windfall to sportsbooks nationwide. As ESPN BET confirmed, that Finals future money will be staying with the house.
The Wolves, who entered the playoffs at 20-1 to win the title, now advance with momentum, toughness, and a growing sense of belief. Meanwhile, the Lakers are left in the unfamiliar position of being the league’s biggest betting bust — and perhaps its biggest offseason question mark.
What’s Next
For now, LeBron remains noncommittal about his future, saying only, “I don’t have the answer.” That answer — and whether Dončić can lead a franchise with expectations this high — will shape not just the Lakers’ future, but the balance of power in the Western Conference.
As for bettors? After one of the most popular teams in the modern sports betting era flamed out in Round 1, a new lesson is clear:
Hype sells tickets. Depth wins series.