If you were watching the Warriors Timberwolves Game 4 on May 12, 2025, you probably felt that familiar pit in your stomach the moment the third quarter started. Chase Center was loud. The energy was there. But the Golden State Warriors were missing a very specific, 6-foot-2 presence that usually makes the impossible seem routine.
No Steph Curry. No "night-night" celebration. Just a massive, gaping hole at the top of the key.
Steph was sidelined with that nagging left hamstring strain he picked up in Game 1. Honestly, watching the Dubs try to navigate a high-stakes playoff game without him is like watching a Ferrari try to run on regular unleaded. It works for a bit, but eventually, you’re going to stall. And stall they did.
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Minnesota didn't just win this game; they seized the series by the throat with a 117-110 victory. Now, the Warriors are staring at a 3-1 deficit, heading back to the Twin Cities. It's grim.
The Third Quarter Meltdown
Let's talk about that third quarter. It was a bloodbath.
Entering halftime, things looked okay. The Warriors were up 60-58. Not great, but they were holding the line. Then Anthony Edwards decided the game was over. He hit a 30-foot buzzer-beater to end the half that felt like a warning shot, and then he just exploded.
Ant-Man put up 16 points in that frame alone. Minnesota went on a 17-0 run that felt like a lifetime for the home crowd. They outscored Golden State 39-17 in those twelve minutes.
Think about that.
The Warriors, a team built on third-quarter flurries, got outscored by 22 points in their own house during their favorite quarter. It was the highest point differential for any single quarter in Timberwolves franchise history. You could literally hear the air leaving the building.
Stat Leaders: Who Actually Showed Up?
Minnesota had two guys go for 30+, which hasn't happened for them in the playoffs since the KG and Sam Cassell era back in '04.
- Julius Randle: 31 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists. He was a bully in the paint.
- Anthony Edwards: 30 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds. He hit 6-of-11 from deep.
- Jaden McDaniels: 10 points but a massive 13 rebounds. His defense on the perimeter was suffocating.
On the Warriors side, it was the Jonathan Kuminga show. Steve Kerr kept him coming off the bench—which is still a hot topic for debate among fans—and he delivered 23 points. He went 11-of-12 from the charity stripe. He’s basically the only reason this wasn't a 30-point blowout.
Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green both chipped in 14, but they just couldn't find enough rhythm. The team shot a miserable 8-of-27 from three. You aren't beating this version of the Wolves shooting 29% from behind the arc. Basically, you're just not.
What Most People Are Getting Wrong About the Defense
Everyone is blaming the Warriors' offense, and yeah, it was clunky. But Chris Finch's defensive scheme for the Wolves was a masterclass. Knowing Curry was out, they dared the "others" to beat them. They played a physical, almost borderline-illegal style of defense that the refs mostly let go.
There was a moment about four minutes before halftime where Buddy Hield went down. McDaniels basically grabbed him by the neck and jersey. The crowd was screaming for a flagrant, but the refs called it a common foul. That told you everything you needed to know about the tone of the game. Minnesota was the hammer; Golden State was the nail.
Why This Game 4 Was the Turning Point
A 2-2 series is a coin flip. A 3-1 series is a death sentence for almost everyone—except maybe the 2016 Warriors, but this isn't that team.
The Warriors look tired. Draymond is fighting for every inch, but he’s giving up a lot of size against Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid. Without the gravity of Curry, the spacing is gone. The Wolves are just sitting in the lane, waiting for Kuminga or Butler to drive, and then swatting everything away.
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Minnesota has now won more road playoff games in the last two years than just about anyone. They don't care about the Chase Center "aura."
Key Takeaways for Game 5
If the Warriors want to survive Wednesday night at Target Center, a few things have to change immediately.
First, the turnovers have to stop. Golden State actually won the fourth quarter 33-20 because Minnesota got sloppy and committed 12 turnovers late. If the Dubs can force that kind of chaos earlier, they have a puncher's chance.
Second, Steve Kerr has to figure out the starting lineup. Starting Trayce Jackson-Davis for size makes sense on paper, but the Wolves are too fast. Kuminga is playing like a superstar; it might be time to just let him loose from the opening tip.
Finally, pray for Steph’s hamstring. He’s scheduled for re-evaluation on Wednesday. If he doesn't suit up, this series is likely wrapping up in five.
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The Timberwolves are younger, they’re bigger, and right now, they’re just better. They’ve managed to take the Warriors' best punch and counter with a knockout. Unless something miraculous happens in Minneapolis, the "Old Guard" might be heading for a very early summer.
If you are looking to track the adjustments for Game 5, keep a close eye on the "Zone" defense the Warriors flashed in the second quarter. It actually worked for about six minutes, holding the Wolves to just two field goals. It might be their only way to hide their lack of size against the Twin Towers of Minnesota.
Check the injury report early Wednesday morning. Everything hinges on that number 30 jersey. If Curry's out, the Wolves are likely booking their tickets to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight year.