In a thrilling playoff battle, the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a rocky start to defeat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 on Saturday night, May 10, 2025, taking a 2-1 lead in their Western Conference second-round series.
Anthony Edwards was the star of the night, scoring a game-high 36 points, including 28 points in the second half alone. His performance was pivotal, especially in the fourth quarter where he scored 13 points. Edwards hit a crucial go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:16 remaining, marking a turning point in the game that propelled the Timberwolves to victory.
Julius Randle also had a standout performance, posting a triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. His ability to make timely plays helped stabilize the Timberwolves when the Warriors threatened to pull away.
The Warriors, playing without their star guard Stephen Curry, who is sidelined with a strained left hamstring, struggled to maintain their rhythm. Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 33 points, while Jonathan Kuminga added 30 points off the bench. Despite their efforts, the Warriors were unable to capitalize on their defensive strengths, especially in the closing moments.
The game started with the Timberwolves racing to a 21-12 lead after a Donte DiVincenzo 3-pointer, but they found themselves tied at 21 by the end of the first quarter as the Warriors closed the gap. Minnesota regained a 10-point lead in the second quarter, only to see the Warriors respond with a 13-1 run, heading into halftime with a 42-40 lead.
Edwards, who began the game cold, hitting just 1 of 8 from beyond the arc in the first half, turned the tide after halftime. He scored 15 points in the third quarter, including a highlight-reel dunk over Kevon Looney, showcasing his explosive athleticism and determination.
In the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves' resilience shone through. Jaden McDaniels hit a critical 3-pointer with 2:58 left, extending Minnesota's lead to six points. Rudy Gobert followed with an and-1 transition dunk, pushing the lead to seven with just over two minutes remaining. Edwards capped off his stellar night with another 3-pointer with 1:19 left, solidifying the Timberwolves' victory.
Despite the loss, the Warriors showed flashes of brilliance, particularly from Butler and Kuminga. However, their inability to convert on turnovers proved costly, as they managed to score only 13 points off 21 Timberwolves giveaways.
As the series continues, the Timberwolves have demonstrated their capacity to compete at a high level, especially with Edwards and Randle leading the charge. Edwards emphasized the importance of teamwork, stating, "Playing as a team, getting stops on the defensive end and limiting those guys to one shot" were key to their success.
Looking ahead, Game 4 is set for Monday night, May 12, 2025, at the Chase Center in San Francisco, where the Warriors will look to even the series. Coach Steve Kerr highlighted the need for his team to tighten their defense, stating, "We have to win with defense," as they prepare for the crucial matchup.
In the only other NBA game on Saturday, the Boston Celtics secured a 115-93 victory over the New York Knicks, pulling within 2-1 in their Eastern Conference second-round series. Payton Pritchard led the Celtics with 23 points, while Jayson Tatum contributed 22 points, as Boston aims for back-to-back titles.
The Timberwolves' victory not only showcases their potential but also sets the stage for an exciting continuation of the playoffs. With both teams eager to assert their dominance, the upcoming games promise to deliver thrilling basketball action.
As the Timberwolves look to build on their momentum, Edwards remarked, "You can't ever get too comfortable. This is a championship DNA team. This is what they do so we've got to be ready at all times." With the stakes higher than ever, fans can expect nothing less than an intense showdown in the next game.
