Julius Randle delivered a dominant performance as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Golden State Warriors 121-110 in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals, clinching the series and advancing to the conference finals for the second consecutive year. Randle was unstoppable, pouring in 29 points on efficient 13-for-18 shooting, consistently energizing his team with his physicality and skill throughout the contest.
Anthony Edwards was a vital contributor for the sixth-seeded Timberwolves, adding 22 points and dishing out 12 assists. The Wolves now await the outcome of the other Western Conference semifinal between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder, with a potential five-day rest period if the Nuggets force a Game 7.
The Warriors fought hard despite missing their star guard Stephen Curry, who was sidelined due to a hamstring strain sustained early in the series. Curry’s absence deeply affected Golden State’s offense, which struggled to find rhythm without its primary playmaker. Brandin Podziemski emerged as a bright spot for the Warriors, scoring a playoff career-high 28 points, but his effort came too late to change the outcome. Jonathan Kuminga off the bench also provided a boost with 26 points, yet the combined performances of Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield fell short in sustaining Golden State’s challenge after their initial series lead.
Minnesota’s offensive versatility proved to be the decisive factor. Unlike the previous round against the Los Angeles Lakers, where the Wolves dominated with ease, Golden State presented a tougher defensive challenge. However, the Timberwolves’ relentless ball movement and ability to push the pace eventually wore down the Warriors. Rudy Gobert anchored the paint, contributing 17 points, while Mike Conley added 16 points and eight assists. Donte DiVincenzo snapped out of a shooting slump, chipping in 13 points as Minnesota shot an impressive 77% on two-point attempts (36 for 47).
Closing out a playoff series is often fraught with pressure and can be the hardest game to win, but Minnesota approached the contest with fierce determination and sharp shooting that signaled they were in control from start to finish. Randle continued his excellent postseason run, constantly fueling the Timberwolves’ momentum. One highlight came when, after grabbing a rebound off a Draymond Green missed three-pointer, Jaden McDaniels quickly found Randle with an outlet pass that led to a layup and a three-point play, extending Minnesota’s lead to 62-47 and igniting the home crowd.
Despite the sizeable deficit, the Warriors showed some fight. Jimmy Butler scored 17 points and Golden State managed to trim a 25-point gap late in the third quarter down to 99-90, thanks in part to a rare made three-pointer from Moses Moody with just over seven minutes remaining. Yet Edwards promptly responded with a clutch three-pointer of his own, and from that moment on, Minnesota maintained a comfortable double-digit lead until the final buzzer.
The Timberwolves’ balanced attack, combining Randle’s inside power, Edwards’ playmaking, and contributions from role players like Gobert and Conley, proved too much for a depleted Warriors squad. Minnesota now moves forward with confidence, setting their sights on the Western Conference finals and the next challenge that awaits.
