Minnesota showed once again that it is ready for big things. In an intense night, with the fans pushing from the beginning, the Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 121-110 and sealed their pass to the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive year. The solid performance of Julius Randle and the maturity of Anthony Edwards were key in a team that has known how to respond to every challenge during this postseason.
Randle and Edwards, Undisputed Leaders of this Project
Julius Randle was the man of the match. With 29 points and a very high level of success in his shots, he was the one who set the tone from the first quarter. Whenever the Warriors threatened to get close, the power forward responded with accurate baskets and smart plays. It was a complete performance, not only for the points, but for his emotional impact on the team.
Anthony Edwards, meanwhile, continues to show why he is one of the most important young players in the league. With 22 points and 12 assists, he once again offered a complete version of his game. Beyond his numbers, what stands out the most is his maturity: he knew when to accelerate, when to give the ball away and how to guide his teammates in the most tense moments of the game.
The two have found a natural connection on the court. They understand each other, seek each other out and raise the team's level when they share the court. That complicity was evident even after the game, when Edwards approached Randle during the television interview. They are the present and the future of this ever-growing franchise.
Golden State Couldn't Hold On Without Curry
Stephen Curry's absence weighed again, and a lot. The point guard has not been able to recover from the hamstring problem that sidelined him in the first game. Since then, the Warriors have tried to reinvent themselves on the fly, but it became clear that without their main offensive reference, the pieces just don't fit together.
Brandin Podziemski had an outstanding night with 28 points, his best record in playoffs. The young guard took on responsibilities with courage, but no matter how hard he tried, it was never enough to stop Minnesota's push. Jonathan Kuminga also shined coming off the bench, contributing 26 points and a lot of energy, although he could not change the course of the game either.
Jimmy Butler, although combative, did not have one of his best nights, and Buddy Hield was neutralized by the Timberwolves' intense defense. Golden State showed heart, that's undeniable, but the lack of rhythm on offense and the difficulties to control the pace of the game were determinant.
Timberwolves, Powerful Offense And Consistent Defense
Minnesota had a near-perfect night in terms of offensive execution. The team hit 77% of its two-point shots and shot 62.8% from the field, both franchise playoff records. Fluid ball movement was key: 36 assists spread out among several players is evidence of a collective style that is paying off.
Mike Conley managed the pace intelligently and closed with 16 points and eight assists. Rudy Gobert was a wall in the paint, scoring 17 and firmly defending every Warriors' attempt in the paint. Donte DiVincenzo also contributed from the perimeter, regaining confidence with 13 points after several irregular games.
The highlight was how the team was able to close the series without hesitation. Although the Warriors came close in the final quarter, cutting the deficit to just nine points, a three-pointer by Edwards stopped the comeback attempt in its tracks. From that point on, the crowd erupted in chants and the team responded with renewed energy until the final buzzer.
Your moment of victory has arrived in games like: Dragon's Domain, Fist of Destruction, Gladiator Legends, and many more. 🐉
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- Betcris (@Betcris) May 15, 2025
Looking Ahead: Resting And Waiting For A Rival
With the win, Minnesota is back in the West finals and now awaits the outcome of the series between Denver and Oklahoma City. If the Nuggets manage to force a seventh game on Thursday, the Timberwolves could enjoy up to five days of rest. A well-deserved luxury for a team that has played with intensity since the first round.
This time off can be key to recover energy and better prepare for the next challenge. Unlike other seasons, today the Timberwolves are not a surprise. They are a reality. They have depth, leadership, defense and an offense that is very difficult to slow down.
There is no room for complacency, as Edwards made clear after the game: "We barely got here," he said, hinting that the goal lies beyond. This group wants more, and after seeing what they did against Golden State, it doesn't seem far-fetched to think they can go even further.
The herd is still roaring strong in the West. And they're not done yet.
