What We Learned About the Timberwolves in Comeback Game 3 Win Over Warriors

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Draymond Green - NBA Playoffs - Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves entered game three against the Golden State Warriors as near touchdown favorites. As long as Steph Curry is out of the picture, we can expect that to continue all series.

Unfortunately, the Wolves came out sluggish in the first half, something they have shown a propensity for throughout the first two rounds of this series. Even without Steph on the other side, Minnesota found themselves trailing by two points at halftime, a lead the Warriors stretched to five, a couple times during the third quarter.

What We Learned – Minnesota Timberwolves @ Golden State Warriors (Gm 3)

Anthony Edwards was slow to go for three quarters, which explains why the Timberwolves were inconsistent for most of the night. That changed in the fourth (see more on that below), and as soon as it did, so did the outlook of game three.

While Ant was figuring it out, Minnesota struggled to find its identity. Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler had by far his best game of this series, scoring 33 points, to go along with 7 assists and 7 rebounds. Jonathan Kuminga had a career night as well, contributing 30 points of his own, along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Anthony Edwards - NBA Playoffs - Minnesota Timberwolves at Golden State Warriors
Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images

But when the Minnesota Timberwolves flipped that switch in the fourth quarter, the Golden State Warriors suddenly looked like they didn’t belong on the same court as the Wolves, who outscored the Warriors 33-24 in the fourth quarter, pulling ahead in the closing minutes, before securing a 102-97 victory that pulled them ahead 2-1 in the series.

Without further ado, here’s what we learned tonight in game three of the western conference semifinals between the Timberwolves and Warriors on Saturday night.

Thank God Tim Connelly traded for Julius Randle

The longer we go on in these 2024-25 NBA Playoffs, the more appreciative I become for Julius Randle. Throughout the postseason, and during much of the second half of the regular season, Randle has unlocked something with the Wolves that he struggled to find immediately after being traded to Minnesota.

On Saturday night, not only did Randle put up a triple double — 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists — but just like he has all playoffs long, the former No. 7 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft has become the Timberwolves’ stabilizing force, whenever that is needed.

Struggling to make shots, get the ball in the high post to Julius Randle. Need a veteran to slow things down and setup the offense, Randle can do that too. Need a strong big man not named Rudy Gobert to lock down a LeBron James or Jimmy Butler? Call on Julius Randle.

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Whatever the doctor calls for, Randle is there to provide it. It may have taken a while for him to gel with his new teammates, but for two or three months now, the 30-year-old out of Dallas, Texas has been everything the Minnesota Timberwolves could have hoped for… and more.

It’s nice when Anthony Edwards shows up… he should do it more

Saturday night was the umpteenth time this postseason that nobody told Anthony Edwards the game had started, until the second half. In game three, Ant went 3-of-12 (25%) in the first half, including 1-of-5 from deep.

For much of the first three quarters, we watched our 23-year-old superstar work in sleepwalk mode. He looked hesitant to try and get downhill toward the rim, while also lacking confidence in his three point shot. And as Edwards struggled, it allowed the Warriors to hang around.

That was until midway through the third quarter, when Ant flipped the superstar switch and became a completely different player. How did he do it. By getting to the rim. In the third, Edwards went 6-of-10. Five of his makes were at the rim… but it was this dunk that changed everything about tonight’s game.

Then, the fourth quarter came along, and by then, Anthony Edwards was feeling himself a little bit, shooting 4-of-6 from the field, including 3-of-5 from three point land. And as Ant got hotter, the hopes of the Golden State Warriors went into the toilet.

Related: Timberwolves Coach Dumbfounded with Refs’ Mistreatment of Rudy Gobert

Edwards finished 13-of-28 for a game-high 36 points, to go along with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. And what we really learned tonight… was something we already knew deep down. As long as the Minnesota Timberwolves play semi-decent basketball against this Curry-less Warriors squad… this series is loser-proof.

Another playoff team that can’t hang with the Minnesota Timberwolves

Much like what we saw in round one against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors do not have the firepower to hang with this incredibly deep Minnesota Timberwolves roster, as long as they perform anywhere near their capabilities.

For the Warriors to hang around, they need to play really well and the Wolves need to do the opposite. Tonight, that’s what took place for most of three quarters. Now, once the West Finals roll around and their opponent is… say… the OKC Thunder, laying off the gas pedal will no longer be an option, even for a quarter.

But the 2025 Golden State Warriors are not the Thunder. So until then, we’ll see if the Timberwolves can stay engaged enough to take this series in five.

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