The Golden State Warriors’ 2025 NBA Playoff run has come to a close after a hard-fought Game 5 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. On Wednesday, May 14, 2025, the Timberwolves secured a 121-110 victory at home, clinching their spot in the Western Conference Finals for the second consecutive season. This win marks another significant milestone in Minnesota’s quest for NBA championship glory.
Warriors Fight Hard but Fall Short Against Timberwolves
Although the Warriors were eliminated, their effort throughout the game demonstrated intense competitiveness. Golden State showed aggression on offense, dominating the offensive glass with 18 offensive rebounds compared to Minnesota’s 6. The Warriors also drew 30 free throw attempts, converting 21, and outshot the Timberwolves by 12 attempts (90 to 78). Despite this volume, the Warriors struggled with shooting efficiency.
Shooting Efficiency Key to Timberwolves’ Victory
The Timberwolves’ success largely came down to their superior shooting accuracy. Minnesota converted an impressive 62% of their field goals, including 41% from three-point range. In stark contrast, Golden State managed just 43% overall and only 28% from beyond the arc. This disparity in shooting efficiency exposed the Warriors’ heavy reliance on star guard Stephen Curry to carry their scoring load.
Standout Performances Lead Timberwolves to Win
Julius Randle led the charge for Minnesota with an efficient 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, missing only 5 of his 18 shot attempts. Anthony Edwards put up a historic performance, scoring 22 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, dishing out 12 assists, and blocking 3 shots. Edwards made 5 of 9 three-pointers and became only the second player in NBA playoff history to achieve at least 20 points, 10 assists, 3 blocks, and 5 three-pointers in a single playoff game.
Supporting contributions came from Rudy Gobert, who scored 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds on 8-for-9 shooting. Veteran Mike Conley added 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists, setting a record as the oldest guard in NBA history to put up such numbers in the playoffs. Jaden McDaniels also impressed with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 steals, while Donte DiVincenzo contributed 13 points, 6 assists, and 4 steals. The Timberwolves’ balanced scoring and efficient shooting—with six of eight players shooting over 53%—proved critical in securing the victory.
Warriors’ Key Players Struggle Amid Loss
For the Warriors, Brandin Podziemski was the top scorer with 28 points, alongside 6 rebounds and 4 assists, shooting a solid 58% from the field. Jonathan Kuminga followed closely with 26 points off the bench, leading Golden State’s scoring throughout the Western Conference Semifinals.
Jimmy Butler logged the most minutes for the Warriors with 41, contributing 17 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals, though he struggled with efficiency, shooting just 4-for-11. Moses Moody added 12 points, while Draymond Green finished with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.
Timberwolves Await Western Conference Finals Opponent
With this victory, the Minnesota Timberwolves will now await the winner of the Oklahoma City Thunder versus Denver Nuggets series to determine their opponent in the Western Conference Finals. Minnesota’s dominant performance and well-rounded roster position them as strong contenders moving forward in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
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