Timberwolves vs. Warriors: The Ultimate Showdown in Round 2 of the NBA Playoffs!
After a swift gentleman's sweep of the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, the Minnesota Timberwolves are gearing up for an exciting matchup against the Golden State Warriors.
The Timberwolves, seeded 7th, needed just five games to dispatch LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and the Lakers. Now, they’re set to face the 6th-seeded Warriors, who boast a star-studded lineup featuring Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and former Timberwolf Jimmy Butler.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Timberwolves' second-round playoff showdown.
First up, let’s check out the full schedule for the Timberwolves' series against the Warriors:
Tickets for the first three home games for the Wolves are now available on the team’s official website. As of Monday, the cheapest tickets are priced at $183.
Both the Timberwolves and Warriors started their opening round matchups strong, each going up 3-1. However, their paths diverged from there.
The Timberwolves dominated Game 1 against the Lakers but faced a setback in Game 2, struggling offensively. They bounced back to win three consecutive games, ultimately taking the series. Throughout the series, the Wolves averaged 107.4 points per game while allowing 100.4. Impressively, their defense held the Lakers under 100 points in three of the five games.
As has become the norm, Anthony Edwards shone brightly, averaging 26.8 points per game. However, the series victory was also thanks to the stellar performances of other key players. Julius Randle averaged 22.6 points, using his size to dominate the Lakers' smaller lineup. In the decisive Game 5, despite a historically poor shooting night from beyond the arc (7-of-47), center Rudy Gobert stepped up, scoring 27 points and grabbing nine offensive rebounds. Jaden McDaniels was also crucial, locking down defensively while averaging 17.4 points.
On the other hand, the Warriors faced a bit of a rollercoaster after their 3-1 start, dropping two straight games and setting up a tense Game 7 against the Houston Rockets. They managed to close out the series decisively with a 103-89 win, but they enter round 2 without the significant rest that the Timberwolves earned.
Golden State averaged 104 points per game while allowing the same on defense, indicating a balanced but challenging matchup ahead.
During the regular season, the Timberwolves went 1-3 against the Warriors, with their only win coming on the road. They averaged 107.8 points against Golden State while allowing 108.3.
Overall, the Timberwolves had the edge in the regular season, finishing a game ahead of the Warriors in the standings. They also ranked higher in both offensive rating (8th vs. 15th) and defensive rating (6th vs. 7th).
Looking ahead, Edwards will aim to maintain his impressive postseason performance. McDaniels and Gobert will need to set the defensive tone, while Randle must continue to play aggressively against a Warriors team that, like the Lakers, lacks size.
Off the bench, Naz Reid will need to elevate his game after a relatively quiet first round.
For the Warriors, Curry remains the primary threat. His shooting from beyond the arc is still lethal, and his hustle in Game 7 demonstrated that age hasn’t slowed him down much.
Butler, as the team’s No. 2 scoring option, will likely be motivated to make a statement against his former team, adding an extra layer of intensity to the matchup.
Green will also be looking to prove he’s a better defender than Gobert, whom he has often criticized. While Green may not be a significant offensive threat, he will relish any highlight-reel plays against Gobert from his teammates.
As the Timberwolves and Warriors prepare to clash, fans can expect an electrifying series filled with high-stakes moments and standout performances from both teams.
