Julius Randle erupted for 29 points on a blistering 13-of-18 shooting performance to propel the Minnesota Timberwolves to a dominant 121-110 win over the Golden State Warriors, clinching their Western Conference second-round playoff series in five games. The electric atmosphere in Minneapolis was a fitting backdrop for a team that has quietly but steadily emerged as a title contender.
Randle, who has been battling through a challenging season, called the moment “amazing,” emphasizing the team’s unity and resilience. “Coach [Chris] Finch reminded us that we didn’t make any flashy moves, didn’t switch coaches, and yet here we are. We stuck together, faced the adversity, and came through it stronger,” Randle said after the game. With eight playoff wins now under their belt, the Timberwolves are locked in and hungry for more.
Anthony Edwards continued his stellar postseason form, adding 22 points and dishing out 12 assists in a performance that showcased his growing maturity and leadership. The Timberwolves now await the winner of the Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder series in the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State, hampered by the absence of superstar Stephen Curry due to a hamstring injury sustained in Game 1, couldn’t keep up with Minnesota’s blistering pace and efficiency. Rookie Brandin Podziemski stepped up with 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting, while Jonathan Kuminga added 26 points off the bench. Jimmy Butler III contributed 17 points and six assists, but it wasn’t enough to stave off elimination.
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Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised his team’s effort despite the loss. “This team has come a long way. A few months ago, we were on the outside looking in. I’m proud of how hard we fought,” Kerr said. “It’s always tough when you lose a player like Steph, but the Wolves played fantastic basketball. They earned this win.”
The stats paint a clear picture of Minnesota’s dominance. The Timberwolves shot a scorching 62.8 percent from the field and connected on nearly 42 percent of their three-pointers. In contrast, the Warriors struggled to find rhythm, shooting just 43.3 percent overall and a dismal 28.2 percent from beyond the arc.
This victory not only marks Minnesota’s continued rise in the NBA hierarchy but also fuels growing excitement around what could be a historic postseason run. With Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards clicking at the right time, and Coach Finch’s squad firing on all cylinders, the Timberwolves are sending a clear message: the road to the NBA Finals might just run through Minneapolis.
