The Western Conference Semifinal between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves tips off on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, with Game 1 setting the tone for a compelling clash between a battle-tested dynasty and a rising powerhouse. The Timberwolves arrive as the more rested and perhaps more complete team, having dispatched the Los Angeles Lakers in five physical games behind the two-way brilliance of Anthony Edwards and the interior dominance of Rudy Gobert. Their deep roster, which also includes Julius Randle and defensive specialist Jaden McDaniels, has proven capable of overwhelming opponents with size, defensive versatility, and a balanced scoring attack that punishes mismatches and thrives on second-chance points. Meanwhile, the Warriors limp into Game 1 off a grueling seven-game slugfest with the Houston Rockets, which they survived thanks to Stephen Curry’s clutch shot-making, Jimmy Butler’s midrange mastery, and Draymond Green’s defensive orchestration, but the toll of that series—both physically and mentally—cannot be overlooked. Golden State’s offense still revolves around Curry’s gravitational pull and constant off-ball motion, but the team’s reliance on smaller lineups and heavy minutes for their stars could be problematic against Minnesota’s elite defense and relentless rebounding. Minnesota’s defensive scheme is uniquely suited to challenge Golden State’s rhythm: McDaniels is long and agile enough to chase Curry through screens, Gobert can erase mistakes at the rim, and the Timberwolves’ bench, led by Naz Reid and Donte DiVincenzo, brings shooting and toughness that allows them to sustain leads when the starters rest.

For Golden State, adjustments are needed; they’ll need Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins to find scoring consistency and hope that Moses Moody and Kevon Looney can contribute impactful minutes off the bench. The Warriors covered the spread the last time they played in Minnesota, narrowly winning by a single point, but the dynamics have changed now that the Timberwolves are healthy, rested, and battle-tested. Key statistical storylines favor Minnesota: their top-seven defense since February 1, their rebounding edge, and their 12-8 ATS record over their last 20 games, suggesting they’ve consistently outperformed expectations. However, Golden State’s championship DNA, playoff savvy, and ability to execute late in games can never be discounted—especially when Curry is involved. The chess match between coaches Chris Finch and Steve Kerr will be pivotal, with matchups, tempo, and rotations likely evolving game by game. If the Warriors can shoot efficiently from deep and keep the game in transition, they can neutralize Minnesota’s size advantage, but if the Timberwolves control the glass and slow the pace, their physicality may grind Golden State down over the course of the series. Game 1 will offer a first look at which style prevails and how much fatigue factors into Golden State’s performance after a short turnaround. With the Target Center expected to be loud and hostile, Minnesota knows the importance of striking first, while the Warriors will lean on experience in their quest to once again upset the balance of power in the West.