The Golden State Warriors are officially done for the 2024–25 NBA season. They lost Game 5 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, 121–110, on May 14. With that, the Timberwolves moved on to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row. Honestly, it’s a disappointing way for the Warriors to go out, especially after they had such high hopes coming into the playoffs.
Timberwolves Took Control Early and Never Let Go
The Timberwolves really came to play in Game 5. They just looked sharper and more locked in. Julius Randle was on fire — he dropped 29 points and hit 13 of his 18 shots. He couldn’t miss. Anthony Edwards was also huge, with 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 12 assists. Minnesota shot lights out, finishing the game with nearly 63% shooting overall and hitting 41.9% from three. When a team’s hitting shots like that, it’s tough to beat them — no matter who you are.
Warriors Gave It What They Had — But It Wasn’t Enough
Even though they lost, you can’t say the Warriors didn’t fight. Rookie Brandin Podziemski really stepped up, scoring 28 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Jonathan Kuminga also played well off the bench, adding 26 points. The effort was there, but they just couldn’t match the Timberwolves’ shooting. Golden State only shot 43.3% from the field and struggled badly from three, making just 28.2% of their attempts. When your shots aren’t falling and the other team can’t miss, it’s a rough night.
Missing Steph Was a Huge Blow
Let’s be real — not having Stephen Curry for most of the series made a big difference. He was out with a strained left hamstring and missed the final four games. Even though he started light workouts, he wasn’t ready in time for Game 5. And you could really feel that hole in the offense. Without him on the floor, the Warriors lacked that spark and leadership he always brings. It’s not an excuse, but it’s a fact — not having your star hurts, especially in the playoffs.
More Drama Off the Court: Draymond Gets Fined
As if things weren’t already tough, Draymond Green added some extra drama. The NBA fined him $50,000 after he made comments during Game 3 about the referees and how the calls were affecting betting outcomes. The league didn’t like that at all and said he broke the conduct rules. Honestly, Draymond’s known for speaking his mind, but this time it definitely brought some unwanted attention during a high-pressure series.
Series Recap: How It All Went Down
Here’s a quick look at how each game went:
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Game 1 (May 7): Warriors 99 – Timberwolves 88
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Game 2 (May 9): Warriors 93 – Timberwolves 117
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Game 3 (May 11): Timberwolves 102 – Warriors 97
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Game 4 (May 13): Timberwolves 117 – Warriors 110
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Game 5 (May 14): Warriors 110 – Timberwolves 121
The Warriors won the first game but couldn’t keep it going after that. Minnesota just kept getting better every game, and the Warriors couldn’t quite match their energy or execution. Now the Timberwolves move on, and Golden State goes into the off-season with a lot of questions to answer — especially about their roster and Steph’s health moving forward.
