Gilbert Arenas believed in the Lakers — maybe a little too much.

The former All-Star guard made a bold promise on his Gil’s Arena podcast heading into the playoffs:

“Yes, I will wear a clown outfit if we lose in the first round.”

Fast forward a week, and the Lakers — led by LeBron James and Luka Dončić — were eliminated in five games by Anthony Edwards’ hungry Timberwolves. And just like that, Arenas kept his word.

A Walking Joke, Literally

On the next episode of his podcast, Gilbert Arenas showed up dressed as a full-blown clown, fulfilling the viral bet made with a fan before the series began. Co-host Nick Young (Swaggy P) didn’t hold back either, roasting Arenas for turning what he thought was a “safe bet” into a humiliating L.

“You bet on LeBron and Luka. Against the Wolves. That was your mistake.”

It wasn’t just about losing a series. It was about misreading a team that, on paper, looked like contenders… but in reality, weren’t ready.

LeBron, Luka, and the Lakers Collapse

The Lakers entered the playoffs as the No. 3 seed with momentum, experience, and big names — but they were thoroughly outplayed. Rudy Gobert dominated the interior, the Lakers’ small-ball lineup collapsed late in games, and even 60 combined points from LeBron and Luka in Game 5 couldn’t save them.

Arenas wasn’t alone in believing in the hype — plenty of fans and analysts picked L.A. to make a deep run. But the Timberwolves used the doubt as fuel and ended the series in five games.

The Bigger Joke? Time

With LeBron now 40, battling injuries, and weighing retirement, and Luka still searching for a team structure that fits his game, the Lakers don’t just have a clown on their hands — they have a roster crisis.

Their blockbuster trade for Dončić sent Anthony Davis to Dallas, leaving them without a true rim protector and with glaring holes on defense. The result? A premature playoff exit and an uncertain future.