Basketball can be beautiful. We see it in the high-arcing splashes from the logo and the fast breaks that look like choreographed dances. But honestly? Game 3 of the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors was anything but pretty. It was a slugfest. It was the kind of game that leaves players iced up for three days afterward.
The Timberwolves walked into Chase Center on May 10, 2025, with the series tied 1-1. Everyone knew the stakes. Winning Game 3 on the road is basically the "secret sauce" for winning a best-of-seven series. Historically, the winner of Game 3 in a tied series goes on to win the whole thing about 73% of the time. Minnesota knew that. The Warriors, even without Stephen Curry, who was sidelined with a left hamstring strain, knew that too.
What followed was a 102-97 Minnesota victory that didn't just give them a 2-1 lead; it shifted the entire psychological balance of the series.
Breaking Down the Timberwolves vs Warriors Game 3 Masterclass
You've got to look at the second half to really understand how Minnesota pulled this off. In the first half, Anthony Edwards was, by his own admission, "stinking it up." He couldn't find his rhythm. The Warriors were throwing double teams at him, forcing the ball out of his hands, and daring literally anyone else to beat them. At halftime, the Wolves were trailing. It felt like the championship DNA of Golden State was going to swallow them whole.
Then the third quarter happened.
Anthony Edwards decided he wasn't going to lose. He dropped 28 of his game-high 36 points in the second half. It wasn't just the scoring, though. It was a specific moment with 1:48 left in the third quarter—a massive dunk over Kevon Looney—that seemed to flip a switch in the building. It silenced the San Francisco crowd and acted like a shot of adrenaline for the Minnesota bench.
But here is the thing people forget: you don't win a playoff game on the road with just one guy. While Edwards was the lightning, Julius Randle was the thunder. Randle finished with a triple-double—24 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists. He became only the second player in Timberwolves history to put up those kinds of playoff numbers, joining the legendary Kevin Garnett. He was a bulldozer in the paint and a surgeon with his passing, finding Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley for crucial buckets when the Warriors collapsed the defense.
The Defensive Stand That Saved the Night
Golden State didn't go away quietly. Jimmy Butler III, who has been the engine for this Warriors team in Curry’s absence, put up 33 points. He was relentless. Jonathan Kuminga added 30 points of his own, proving that the "young core" of the Warriors is officially grown up.
However, Minnesota’s defense is a different beast these days. Rudy Gobert didn't have a massive scoring night (only 9 points), but his 13 rebounds and 4 blocks were the reason Golden State couldn't finalize their comeback. In the fourth quarter, the Warriors actually led 82-77 with about eight minutes left. In years past, the "old" Wolves might have folded. Instead, they went on a 9-0 run.
Mike Conley, the 37-year-old veteran, was diving on the floor like a rookie. He drew a crucial offensive foul on a moving screen from Looney late in the fourth. After the game, Conley joked that he didn't know if he could have kept running if he hadn't fallen down. That’s the grit it takes.
Key Statistics and Box Score Highlights
If you’re a fan of the numbers, the box score tells a story of efficiency versus volume.
Minnesota shot 43.9% from the field. Not amazing, but they hit 13 of their 34 three-pointers (38.2%). The Warriors, meanwhile, struggled from deep. Without Steph, that spacing just isn't the same. They relied heavily on Butler and Kuminga getting to the rim, but they ran into the "Stifle Tower" more often than not.
Draymond Green’s impact was... complicated. He finished with just 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 4 assists before fouling out with 4:38 left in the game. His exit was arguably the nail in the coffin. Without his defensive rotations and vocal leadership on the floor, the Wolves were able to execute their sets with way less friction.
The turnover battle was ugly. Minnesota had 21 turnovers. Usually, you lose those games. But they made up for it by winning the rebounding battle 44-31. They simply gave themselves more chances to score.
Why This Game Mattered for the Series
This wasn't just one win. It was a statement. By taking Game 3, the Timberwolves proved they could handle the "muddy" games. They showed they didn't need a perfect shooting night to beat a championship-caliber organization on their home floor.
- Anthony Edwards proved he could recover from a bad start to dominate the clutch.
- Julius Randle silenced critics who questioned his postseason consistency.
- The bench, specifically Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, provided the defensive versatility needed to switch onto Golden State's guards.
For Golden State, the loss was a harsh reminder of how thin their margin for error is without Curry. They played hard, they played smart, but they lacked the final "punch" to close out the fourth quarter.
Actionable Takeaways for the Next Matchup
If you're watching the tape for Game 4, keep an eye on these specific adjustments.
First, look at how Golden State defends Julius Randle. In Game 3, they let him facilitate too easily. They’ll likely try to front him or force him into more difficult mid-range jumpers.
Second, Minnesota needs to clean up the sloppy passing. You can't give a team like the Warriors 21 turnovers and expect to win twice. It’s a miracle they escaped with a "W" this time.
👉 See also: Snowman: The Story of the 80 Dollar Champion
Lastly, watch the minutes. Edwards played nearly 44 minutes. Randle played 40. At some point, fatigue becomes a factor in these every-other-day playoff schedules. Minnesota’s depth will be tested as the series continues.
The series now sits at 2-1. The pressure has officially shifted back to the Bay Area. If the Warriors can't protect home court in Game 4, they're looking at a 3-1 deficit heading back to the loud, hostile environment of Target Center in Minneapolis. And we all know how those stories usually end.