Take a moment to consider why the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 103-96, clinching their first-round series in just five games on the Lakers' home court.

Was it because Anthony Edwards dominated LeBron and Luka in Game 5? No—in fact, Edwards had a relatively quiet night. Was it because the Timberwolves were lights-out from beyond the arc? Hardly—they endured a brutal stretch, missing 18 consecutive three-pointers in the second half.

Maybe Luka Dončić's well-documented defensive liabilities sank the Lakers? While his defense was a problem, Dončić still delivered offensively with a game-high 28 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds. Was it the 40-year-old LeBron James faltering under pressure? Not at all—James contributed a solid 22 points and performed well enough on both ends of the floor.

As you might imagine, the internet was flooded with a bunch of Dončić's overweight images, including comparing him to James Corbin.

So why exactly did a team led by Luka, LeBron, and Austin Reaves receive an early playoff exit? The answer begins and ends with rookie head coach JJ Redick.

Redick's tactical mistakes were on full display in Game 5 as he inexplicably allowed Rudy Gobert to channel his inner Wilt Chamberlain. With center Jaxson Hayes watching the entire game from the bench, Redick watched and failed to make any real adjustments as Gobert dominated with 27 points and an unbelievable 24 rebounds. After Minnesota's Anthony Edwards had torched the Lakers for 43 points in Game 4, the Timberwolves clearly adjusted their strategy to exploit the Lakers' interior defense by leaning into their height advantage. Edwards talked about Gobert's impact in his post-game press conference, declaring, "He was the dragon tonight"—a fitting Game of Thrones reference for Gobert's fiery performance.

The beauty of playoff basketball lies in the strategic adjustments coaches implement from game to game and quarter to quarter. For those paying attention to this chess match, Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch thoroughly outmaneuvered Redick in the series.

While both GM Rob Pelinka and Redick were aware of the Lakers' deficiencies at center, Redick's decision to utilize only eight players in an elimination game bordered on coaching malpractice. This followed his even more questionable Game 4 strategy of playing just five players for the entire second half.

In the end, it wasn't the stars who failed to shine—it was Redick's inability to counter Finch's tactical adjustments that sent Hollywood's team into an early offseason.