The NBA playoffs always bring drama, intensity, and unforgettable performances, and the Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves May 14, 2025 matchup was no exception. This was Game 5 of the Western Conference Semifinals, and with the Timberwolves already holding a commanding 3-1 lead in the series, the Warriors faced elimination on the road. The stage was the Target Center in Minneapolis, where an energetic home crowd anticipated history as Minnesota looked to secure their spot in the Western Conference Finals.
The Warriors entered the game shorthanded, missing their superstar Stephen Curry, who was sidelined due to a lingering hamstring injury. His absence placed immense pressure on the younger players and role players to step up. On the other side, the Timberwolves were confident and prepared, with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle spearheading the charge. What unfolded was a showcase of offensive efficiency, team chemistry, and playoff grit that ultimately tilted heavily in Minnesota’s favor.
Game Recap: How the Timberwolves Controlled the Narrative
From the opening tip, the Timberwolves dictated the tempo. They came out firing with sharp shooting and relentless drives to the basket. Minnesota’s offensive efficiency was nothing short of spectacular, as they finished the night shooting nearly 63% from the field and an impressive 42% from beyond the arc.
The Warriors, in contrast, struggled to keep pace. While they found contributions from their younger core, the absence of Curry’s playmaking and floor spacing was glaring. Golden State shot just 43% overall and a poor 28% from three, a clear reflection of how difficult it was for them to create quality looks against Minnesota’s disciplined defense.
By halftime, the Timberwolves had built a double-digit lead, taking advantage of Golden State’s turnovers and missed shots. The third quarter was where Minnesota truly broke away, stretching the lead to as many as 25 points. Although the Warriors mounted a spirited comeback in the fourth, cutting the deficit behind the efforts of Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga, the hole was simply too deep. The Timberwolves closed out the game with composure, sealing a 121-110 victory and punching their ticket to the conference finals.
Golden State Warriors Key Performers: Rising Stars in the Absence of Curry
Without Stephen Curry orchestrating the offense, Golden State needed their younger players to rise to the occasion. While the Warriors fell short overall, several individual performances stood out.
- Brandin Podziemski emerged as the Warriors’ top scorer with 28 points on an efficient shooting display. His confidence handling the ball and creating shots highlighted his growth throughout the season. In only his second playoff run, Podziemski showcased poise beyond his years, proving that he could be a valuable building block for Golden State’s future.
- Jonathan Kuminga was equally impressive, coming off the bench to pour in 26 points. His athleticism, energy, and aggression attacking the basket gave the Warriors some much-needed firepower. Kuminga’s performance was a reminder of his potential to become a central figure for the team moving forward.
- Chris Paul and Draymond Green tried to provide veteran leadership, but their impact was limited against Minnesota’s hot shooting. While Green facilitated and anchored the defense, the Warriors’ inability to contain Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards made the task nearly impossible.
Golden State’s loss underscored just how much the team relies on Curry’s presence. However, the emergence of Podziemski and Kuminga offered a silver lining, hinting at a possible changing of the guard in the near future.
Minnesota Timberwolves Key Performers: Stars Shining Brightest When It Mattered
The Timberwolves’ dominance was built on star power and execution. Their key players delivered in every aspect of the game, turning what could have been a close battle into a decisive win.
- Julius Randle was the headline performer with 29 points on 13-of-18 shooting, combining efficiency with aggressiveness. He controlled the paint, hit midrange jumpers, and punished Golden State’s defense whenever they failed to rotate quickly. Beyond scoring, his 8 rebounds and 5 assists demonstrated his all-around contribution.
- Anthony Edwards was dynamic as always, finishing with 22 points and 12 assists. His ability to balance scoring with playmaking kept the Warriors guessing all night. Edwards’ confidence as a leader has grown tremendously, and his chemistry with Randle was one of the deciding factors in Minnesota’s playoff success.
- Rudy Gobert may not have dominated the box score offensively, but his defensive presence was invaluable. He altered shots, grabbed crucial rebounds, and made life difficult for the Warriors in the paint. Gobert’s rim protection ensured that Golden State’s drives rarely turned into easy baskets.
Together, this trio of Randle, Edwards, and Gobert set the tone and inspired their teammates, proving why Minnesota has become one of the toughest playoff teams in recent years.
Golden State Warriors vs Timberwolves Match Player Stats
Here’s a breakdown of the standout player performances in Game 5 of the Golden State Warriors vs Timberwolves match player stats showdown:
Golden State Warriors Players Stats
| Player | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Butler III | 41:54 | 4 | 11 | 36.4 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 9 | 11 | 81.8 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 17 | -17 |
| Draymond Green | 35:46 | 4 | 11 | 36.4 | 1 | 6 | 16.7 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | -9 |
| Trayce Jackson-Davis | 6:41 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -6 |
| Buddy Hield | 29:37 | 2 | 9 | 22.2 | 0 | 4 | 0.0 | 4 | 4 | 100 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 8 | -13 |
| Brandin Podziemski | 38:44 | 11 | 19 | 57.9 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 2 | 5 | 40.0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 28 | -2 |
| Jonathan Kuminga | 32:14 | 11 | 23 | 47.8 | 3 | 9 | 33.3 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 26 | -12 |
| Gary Payton II | 5:42 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Gui Santos | 15:43 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | -1 |
| Kevon Looney | 5:59 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -11 |
| Quinten Post | 9:56 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
| Pat Spencer | 5:44 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | -5 |
| Moses Moody | 12:00 | 3 | 6 | 50.0 | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 4 | 5 | 80.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10 |
| TEAM TOTALS | — | 39 | 90 | 43.3 | 11 | 39 | 28.2 | 21 | 30 | 70.0 | 18 | 22 | 40 | 21 | 14 | 1 | 17 | 21 | 110 | -11 |
Minnesota Timberwolves Players Stats
| Player | MIN | FGM | FGA | FG% | 3PM | 3PA | 3P% | FTM | FTA | FT% | OREB | DREB | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | PF | PTS | +/- |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaden McDaniels | 41:05 | 6 | 14 | 42.9 | 0 | 3 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 14 | 2 |
| Julius Randle | 42:30 | 13 | 18 | 72.2 | 2 | 6 | 33.3 | 1 | 1 | 100 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 29 | 4 |
| Rudy Gobert | 27:31 | 8 | 9 | 88.9 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 1 | 4 | 25.0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 17 | 21 |
| Anthony Edwards | 41:09 | 8 | 15 | 53.3 | 5 | 9 | 55.6 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 1 | 6 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 22 | 20 |
| Mike Conley | 26:30 | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 4 | 6 | 66.7 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 16 | 4 |
| Naz Reid | 21:02 | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 0 | 2 | 0.0 | 2 | 2 | 100 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 | -3 |
| Donte DiVincenzo | 26:27 | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 2 | 4 | 50.0 | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 7 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 13:46 | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 0 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| TEAM TOTALS | — | 49 | 78 | 62.8 | 13 | 31 | 41.9 | 10 | 15 | 66.7 | 6 | 33 | 39 | 36 | 11 | 4 | 20 | 19 | 121 | 11 |
This table highlights how Minnesota’s balanced attack outperformed Golden State’s efforts. While the Warriors had two standout scorers, the Timberwolves enjoyed contributions across multiple areas, which made them more difficult to stop.
Team Comparison: Efficiency and Execution Make the Difference
When analyzing the team stats comparison, the story becomes clear.
- Shooting Efficiency: Minnesota’s 62.8% field goal percentage was elite, compared to Golden State’s 43.3%. The Timberwolves were simply too precise, converting even contested opportunities.
- Three-Point Shooting: Minnesota drained 41.9% of their threes, while the Warriors shot a lackluster 28.2%, reflecting Curry’s absence as a long-range threat.
- Ball Movement: The Timberwolves racked up more assists, with Anthony Edwards leading the way. Their ability to share the ball kept Golden State’s defense on its heels.
- Defensive Presence: Rudy Gobert anchored the Timberwolves defensively, controlling the paint and limiting Golden State’s second-chance opportunities.
The Warriors showed fight, but Minnesota’s combination of star talent, shooting efficiency, and defensive control highlighted the gulf between the two teams in this matchup.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown: The Flow of the Game
- First Quarter: Minnesota opened strong, hitting outside shots and attacking the basket. The Warriors kept pace initially, but a late Wolves run gave them a 30-23 lead.
- Second Quarter: Golden State’s offense sputtered while Minnesota continued their hot streak, outscoring the Warriors 32-24 to build a comfortable halftime advantage.
- Third Quarter: This was the knockout punch. Randle dominated inside, and Edwards orchestrated the offense brilliantly. The Timberwolves won the quarter 31-25, stretching the lead to 25 points at one stage.
- Fourth Quarter: The Warriors, led by Podziemski and Kuminga, made a final push with a 38-point quarter. However, Minnesota responded when needed and closed out the game confidently, sealing their series victory.
This breakdown illustrates how Minnesota controlled the first three quarters, leaving the Warriors with too steep a mountain to climb despite their late-game rally.
Historical and Series Context: What This Game Means
The Timberwolves’ victory not only ended the Warriors’ playoff run but also added significant weight to their own franchise history.
- For Minnesota, this win marked back-to-back trips to the Western Conference Finals, a milestone achievement that reflects their rise as a powerhouse in the Western Conference. The blend of Edwards’ youth, Randle’s scoring punch, and Gobert’s defensive excellence has given the Timberwolves a winning formula.
- For Golden State, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. It was the first time under coach Steve Kerr that the Warriors had been eliminated in fewer than six games in a playoff series. Curry’s injury was a huge factor, but the team’s overreliance on their veteran core also came into focus. Questions about the future of the dynasty are bound to dominate the offseason conversation.
This game will be remembered as both the rise of the Timberwolves and the sobering reminder that the Warriors’ golden era may finally be nearing its end.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What was the final score of the Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves May 14, 2025 game?
The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors with a decisive 121-110 victory.
Q2: Who were the top performers of the game?
Julius Randle led all scorers with 29 points, Anthony Edwards contributed 22 points and 12 assists, while Brandin Podziemski (28) and Jonathan Kuminga (26) carried the Warriors’ offense.
Q3: Did Stephen Curry play in this matchup?
No. Curry missed the game due to a hamstring injury, significantly impacting Golden State’s offensive output.
Q4: How did Minnesota dominate statistically?
The Timberwolves shot nearly 63% from the field, outpaced Golden State in three-point accuracy, and had superior ball movement and defensive control.
Q5: What does this result mean for the series?
The Timberwolves won the series 4-1, advancing to the Western Conference Finals, while the Warriors were eliminated from the playoffs.
Conclusion: A Tale of Two Directions
The Golden State Warriors vs Timberwolves match player stats from May 14, 2025 tell a story of efficiency, teamwork, and rising momentum for Minnesota, contrasted with the struggles and vulnerabilities of Golden State without their superstar. For the Timberwolves, this was a statement win that solidified their reputation as a serious contender. For the Warriors, it was a sobering moment signaling the possible end of an era.
As Minnesota moves forward to the Western Conference Finals, their depth and chemistry will be tested against even tougher opposition. Meanwhile, Golden State faces an offseason of questions about how to balance their aging stars with the potential of their young talents. One thing is clear: this game will be remembered as a turning point in both franchises’ trajectories.
Read More: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Los Angeles Lakers Match Players Stats
