How it happened: Timberwolves eliminate Warriors, advance to Western Conference finals

Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune on May 15, 2025

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For the first time in the Anthony Edwards era, the Timberwolves had an opportunity to close out a playoff series in Target Center.

The pressure and the emotion of the moment in games like this can weigh on a team, especially one that hasn’t been in this position before. But despite some hairy moments in the fourth quarter, the Wolves allowed the home fans to celebrate Wednesday with an imperfect 121-110 victory.

They advance to the Western Conference finals to take on either Denver or Oklahoma City and are four wins from making the first finals appearance in team history. In the process, the Wolves vanquished an old foe in Jimmy Butler, while ending the series before Stephen Curry (strained left hamstring) could return from his injury.

Edwards helped bring it about with 22 points and 12 assists.

How it happened

The Wolves picked the perfect moment to have one of their best shooting nights of the season. Instead of letting the adrenaline overwhelm them, they harnessed their emotions the right way. The Wolves shot 63%; they were at 66% through three quarters. Their hot shooting offset their high number of turnovers (21).

After leading by 25 in the third quarter, the Wolves let Golden State back in it early in the fourth. The Warriors cut the lead to nine behind 26 points from Brandin Podziemski, but the Wolves got it together with some easy buckets to push the lead back into double digits.

What it means

The Wolves are off to the Western Conference finals for the second consecutive season and just the third time in franchise history. Despite a crowded Western Conference, the Wolves have emerged as one of the top teams in the league again.

The controversial trade of Karl-Anthony Towns for Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo, done in the long-term interest of the team’s luxury-tax situation, didn’t cost them in the short term, as the Wolves are right back where they ended last season.

Player of the game

Randle was again dependable, as he has been all playoffs. Even though he had five turnovers, the Wolves all struggled taking care of the ball. But Randle had 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists. He was 13-for-18 from the field.

Key stat

The Wolves scored 72 points in the paint compared to 48 for Golden State. The Wolves moved the ball well and got great looks when they weren’t turning the ball over.

Turning point

The Wolves saved their best burst for the closing minutes of the half, and their most veteran player was the one who kicked it off.

With the Wolves up three, Mike Conley hit threes on consecutive possessions to push the lead to nine. At the time, Conley led the Wolves in scoring with 11. But Randle soon passed him, scoring six points as the Wolves closed the half on a 16-5 run for a 62-47 halftime lead.

This was the first time all night the Wolves pushed their lead into double digits.

Up next

The Wolves await the winner of the Oklahoma City-Denver series, with the Thunder leading 3-2. Game 6 is Thursday in Denver. If Oklahoma City wins, the Western Conference finals will begin Sunday in Oklahoma City. If that series goes seven games, the Western Conference finals would begin Tuesday, either in Oklahoma City or Denver.