Timberwolves Make Final Injury Announcement Before Game 5 vs. Lakers

The Timberwolves went home to Minnesota and completed their mission, sweeping both Games 3 and 4 from the Lakers and putting L.A.'s back firmly against the wall with a 3-1 deficit in their opening-round series in the Western Conference playoffs.

It's a big swing for a Lakers team that was the No. 3 seed, and that many expected to be a legitimate championship contender. But it's also validation for a Minnesota team that, despite being the No.



6 seed, finished only one game (they had 49 wins) behind the Lakers (who had 50) and is currently on a run of 20 wins in its last 25 games. Coach Chris Finch said that one of the advantages the Wolves may have had in the series is the mere fact that they were overlooked all along.Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch talks with Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) Mandatory Credit Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images "We knew what everyone was saying, and our team is always the best when they play with a chip on their shoulder," Finch said.

"And so we just had to establish that chip on our shoulder."As things shift back to Los Angeles, where the Wolves will seek to end the series in Game 5 on Wednesday, one thing the Timberwolves will have going for them is the injury report. On Tuesday, the team filed its final injury report with the league before gameday, and it's pretty clean.

The only player on it is rookie Rob Dillingham, who has been in and out of the team's rotation this season, but who has not played since April 11. It's doubtful Minnesota will miss him much here against the lakers. Game 5 will be played at Crypto.

com Arena in L.A., with tipoff at 10 ET.

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