NBA Playoffs 2025: Timberwolves knock out Warriors to advance to Western Conference Finals

The Minnesota Timberwolves are heading back to the NBA Western Conference Finals after dismantling the Golden State Warriors 121-110 in Game 5 of their semifinal series on Wednesday night. With the victory, Minnesota secured a commanding 4-1 series win over the seven-time NBA champions and reinforced their status as title contenders in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.

The win sets the stage for a high-stakes showdown against either the Denver Nuggets or Oklahoma City Thunder, as Minnesota eyes its first NBA Finals appearance in franchise history.

Dominant Timberwolves take control early

Playing in front of a raucous home crowd at Target Center, the Timberwolves came out with energy and intent, capitalizing on their size advantage and executing with sharp shooting and disciplined defense. They built a double-digit lead early in the game and expanded it to as much as 25 points by the late stages of the third quarter.

Despite a late fourth-quarter rally from the Warriors, which saw the gap shrink to just nine points with under seven minutes remaining, Minnesota held firm and reasserted control to close out the game and the series in decisive fashion.

Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards shine

Julius Randle led all scorers with 29 points, delivering a powerful offensive performance and commanding presence in the paint. Anthony Edwards continued his stellar postseason form, racking up 22 points, 12 assists, and seven rebounds, showing poise and leadership far beyond his years.

Speaking after the game, Randle reflected on the team’s resilience this season:

“We’ve had a season full of adversity, but we never wavered,” Randle said. “Coach kept us focused, no major roster shake-ups, no panic moves—we just stuck together and trusted the process. I’m proud of every guy on this team. Now we’ve got to keep pushing.”

Warriors Hampered by Curry’s Absence

The Golden State Warriors' playoff campaign never fully recovered from the injury to Stephen Curry in Game 1, which sidelined the team’s star and dramatically shifted the dynamics of the series.

Without their offensive anchor, the Warriors struggled to find a consistent rhythm, and even with moments of brilliance from Jimmy Butler and Klay Thompson, they couldn’t match Minnesota’s intensity or firepower over the five-game stretch.

Steve Kerr, Warriors head coach, expressed frustration and disappointment at the post-game press conference:

“Steph going down in Game 1 changed everything—not just tactically but emotionally. It also limited Jimmy’s effectiveness,” Kerr noted. “I believe we had the pieces to make a real run at the title. The playoffs are often about who stays healthy and who catches fire. Unfortunately, we fell short on both.”

What’s Next for the Timberwolves

This marks the second consecutive Western Conference Finals appearance for the Timberwolves, a franchise that has been steadily building its playoff pedigree under head coach Chris Finch. With Edwards emerging as a bonafide superstar and veterans like Randle anchoring the squad, Minnesota now awaits the result of the Denver vs. Oklahoma City series to learn their next opponent.

Regardless of who they face, the Timberwolves have proven that they are built for the postseason—capable of withstanding pressure, overcoming setbacks, and executing when it counts most.