News Timberwolves Team Notes

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Stats Show How Julius Randle Has Been A Difference Maker For Timberwolves

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

There was a lot of concern and questioning about Julius Randle when he came to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer.

How could he replace a powerhouse like Karl-Anthony Towns, the fans asked.

While Randle isn’t the same sort of player as Towns and there are still worries about him, he’s been excellent lately.

In fact, Hoop Central pointed out that the Timberwolves are 12-0 in the last 12 games with Randle in the lineup.

Unsurprisingly, the Timberwolves have been looking better and are now more feared by their Western Conference opponents.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are now 12-0 in the last twelve games Julius Randle has played.

pic.twitter.com/TrqAZDkWYD

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 15, 2025

Randle had no idea that he was going to be traded and was just as shocked as millions of fans when he was sent packing before the new season.

But it felt like the New York Knicks had figured out a new identity without Randle and didn’t need him anymore.

Their loss may be Minnesota’s gain.

Randle is averaging 18.9 points and 7.2 rebounds this season.

That is still a step down from last season but Randle has shown his prowess beyond the numbers.

He has easily worked himself into the rotation and seems to have good chemistry with his team.

With that being said, he has only played in 55 games this season and injuries have again been a problem.

The Timberwolves are happy to see him back now but there is trepidation that he will become injured again.

They hope that isn’t the case because this version of Randle is the kind fans want to see in the playoffs.

Throughout his career, Randle has had many up-and-down moments and inconsistency has plagued him.

It’s not an issue for him right now and the Timberwolves are hoping it stays that way.

The post Stats Show How Julius Randle Has Been A Difference Maker For Timberwolves appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stats-s...has-been-a-difference-maker-for-timberwolves/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Stats Show How Timberwolves Are Dominating This Month

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have suffered from a series of issues this season but they have been looking really competitive lately.

The last month has been very kind to the Timberwolves and their numbers show they are a rising team in their conference.

According to StatMuse, they have been first in net rating, third in offense, and sixth in defense over the last month and have gone 7-0 during that time.

Are the Timberwolves peaking at the perfect time and can they keep it up as the postseason approaches?

Timberwolves this month:

1st in net rating
3rd in offense
6th in defense

7-0. pic.twitter.com/xFZCPwhEIK

— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 15, 2025

The Timberwolves are the seventh seed in the West with a 39-29 record.

That means the last few weeks of the regular season will be a battle for a spot in the playoffs.

But if they keep playing like this, they can secure their place and possibly even avoid the play-in tournament entirely.

There has been a lot of movement in the Western Conference over the last few weeks, with the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, Timberwolves, and others all jostling around and getting better before the playoffs.

The Timberwolves are now seen as a real threat, a team figuring itself out at the perfect time.

Over the last few weeks, they have taken down the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets, and more.

Some of these teams haven’t been that tough but wins are wins and the T-Wolves have been accumulating a lot of them.

Next up for the Timberwolves will be the Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, and New Orleans Pelicans (twice).

Can they extend their winning streak even more?

The post Stats Show How Timberwolves Are Dominating This Month appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stats-show-how-timberwolves-are-dominating-this-month/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Fans React To Anthony Edwards’ Big Performance On Sunday

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves sailed past the Utah Jazz on Sunday, beating them 128-102.

Anthony Edwards was a monster during the game, posting 41 points and once again reminding people why he’s one of the best young players in the league.

This was Edwards’ seventh 40-point game of the season and Minnesota’s eight-straight win.

The fans came out to celebrate Edwards online following this big win and a lot of people believe the Timberwolves are headed in the right direction.

Anthony Edwards records his 7th 40-point game of the season as the @Timberwolves win 8 in a row!

Jaden McDaniels: 20 PTS, 12 REB, 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/Q8oxHcOc79

— NBA (@NBA) March 17, 2025

Many fans think that nothing and no one can slow down the Timberwolves and they are headed for a strong run in the playoffs.

The team is definitely peaking at the right time and after months of tough losses and starts and stops, they appear to be ready for the postseason.

Nothing is stopping Wolves right now

— ◖⁠⚆⁠ᴥ⁠⚆⁠◗ (@AkhirQHaya) March 17, 2025

Minnesota looking like a real team again

— Jefe (@XCryptoJefe) March 17, 2025

Incredible game for ant

— Rains

(@r_rainss) March 17, 2025

Timberwolves gonna give some teams problems in the post season

— Jr. Devious (@DeeGee1844774) March 17, 2025

The fans are definitely keeping an eye on the months ahead now.

The Timberwolves are the seventh seed in the West with a 40-29 record.

So if the play-in tournament started today, the Timberwolves would have to compete in it.

With that being said, their eight wins in a row suggest they could easily get through that and earn a spot in the playoffs.

Edwards has been having another great season, averaging 27.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 4.6 assists per game on 44.5 percent from the field.

There have been more questions and concerns about his team this season but they are looking primed and ready for what comes next and they could again have a big presence in the playoffs.

How many more 40-point games can Edwards produce this year and how many of them will be in the postseason?

The post Fans React To Anthony Edwards’ Big Performance On Sunday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/fans-react-to-anthony-edwards-big-performance-on-sunday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Stat Shows How Anthony Edwards Has Made NBA History This Season

(Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves have been up and down this season.

They went from reaching the Western Conference Finals to struggling to stay afloat this year.

Also, Anthony Edwards had to change his game significantly, as not having Karl-Anthony Towns around took a toll on his team’s spacing.

As a result, he joined the very exclusive list of efficient volume shooters from beyond the arc.

As shown by StatMamba on X (via Hoop Central), he just became the youngest player to record at least 300 three-pointers in a single season.

Anthony Edwards is now the youngest player in NBA history to have 300+ 3PM in a season, per @StatMamba.

SPECIAL. pic.twitter.com/bW5m0O26Cu

— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) April 6, 2025

Edwards is just 23 years old.

He clearly took plenty of pointers from Stephen Curry and his fellow NBA All-Stars in the summer with Team USA.

Edwards wasn’t known for his three-point shooting prowess when he first entered the league, often drawing comparisons to Dwyane Wade.

He still shoots 36% from three for his career, so that part of his game has clearly translated to the pros better than anticipated.

He’s currently averaging a career-high 10.2 three-pointers attempted per game, and he’s making nearly 40% of those attempts.

Of course, that has also drawn some criticism among old-school fans, as he’s settling for several pull-ups and contested shots rather than using his mesmerizing athleticism to drive to the lane and get his points inside.

His shot selection has changed significantly, and despite taking almost four more threes per game, he’s only averaging 1.5 more points per game if compared to last season.

But at the end of the day, the game is changing, and as such, he will adapt to the demands of the modern game.

The post Stat Shows How Anthony Edwards Has Made NBA History This Season appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stat-shows-how-anthony-edwards-has-made-nba-history-this-season/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Timberwolves Set Season-High In Notable Stat On Thursday

(Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a dominant and impressive win on Thursday night, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 141-125.

They were strong for the entire game, but especially in the third quarter, when they quite literally outdid the rest of the NBA.

On X, the league noted that the Timberwolves scored 52 points in the third, going 18-of-21 from the field and 7-of-8 from the three-point line.

That is the most points by any team in any quarter this entire season.

The @Timberwolves in the third quarter tonight:

52 PTS

18-21 FGM

7-8 3PM

It's the most points by any team in any quarter this season!! https://t.co/KTBb4T1bbQ pic.twitter.com/7fc8U9jRyo

— NBA (@NBA) April 11, 2025

Who was contributing to this offensive onslaught in the third quarter?

Basically, everyone in a Timberwolves jersey.

Anthony Edwards did the most with his 18 points, while Julius Randle was solid with 14.

Meanwhile, Rudy Gobert had nine points, and Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, and Donte DiVincenzo had three.

Finally, Jaden McDaniels chipped in with his two points.

The entire team had a strong quarter, and it helped them get a solid handle on the game and led to their win.

Minnesota has won six of their last seven games, including the cinematic double-overtime match against the Denver Nuggets last week.

They have been looking much better lately, just in time for the playoffs.

Their final two games of the regular season are against the Brooklyn Nets and then the Utah Jazz.

What are the chances of them being able to end the season on a three-game winning streak?

The energy they showed in the third quarter is the exact sort of spirit they need to take into these last two games, as well as the playoffs.

They are currently the eighth team in the West, which means they may need to fight through the Play-In to reach the postseason.

Fight is exactly what they showed on Thursday, especially in the third quarter.

The post Timberwolves Set Season-High In Notable Stat On Thursday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/timberwolves-set-season-high-in-notable-stat-on-thursday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

JJ Redick Gets Honest About Lakers-Wolves Matchup In Playoffs

(Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The NBA playoffs start in less than a week, and the Los Angeles Lakers have earned the third seed.

While the team is glad to avoid the Play-In Tournament, they know they will have their work cut out for them in the opening round.

That’s because the Lakers will battle the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team that has been on a roll lately.

Speaking to ESPN, head coach JJ Redick made it clear that he is taking this team very seriously.

“It’s a very difficult opponent,” Redick said. “They’ve played as well as anyone lately, and I believe they’re one of four teams in the top 10 in offense and defense. So, they present a lot of problems.”

Redick is right: the Timberwolves are a huge problem both on offense and defense.

While Redick and his team should be confident of their own offense’s ability to slip past or outshoot the T-Wolves, they should be worried about their defense limiting Anthony Edwards, Naz Reid, and others.

Thankfully, Redick will be able to rely on his superstar, Luka Doncic, who has a good track record against Minnesota.

Last year, Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks beat the Wolves 4-1 in the playoffs, and Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 7.2 assists during that series.

Some people argue the team Doncic has now is stronger than the one he had last year, but this Timberwolves team has been very threatening lately, going 8-2 in their last 10 and winning three in a row to end the regular season.

They are clicking well, and things are looking good in Minnesota, so the Lakers need to be on high alert.

Thankfully, Redick and his staff have a little less than a week to draw up a competitive game plan.

The post JJ Redick Gets Honest About Lakers-Wolves Matchup In Playoffs appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/jj-redick-gets-honest-about-lakers-wolves-matchup-in-playoffs/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Brian Windhorst Is Intrigued About 1 NBA Playoff Matchup

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers are the third seed in the West and will soon play against the sixth seed Minnesota Timberwolves, but that doesn’t mean they are going to walk away with a victory.

Speaking on ESPN, Brian Windhorst dug into this series and said it’s not as clear-cut as it may seem.

“The Lakers are a roster that is incomplete,” Windhorst said. “There are advantages for the Wolves in this series, particularly the fact that Anthony Edwards can just score like crazy. So this series, if you want to say it’s 6[th seed] vs. 3[rd seed], I wish you luck, because this series is really tight in my view.”

"This series is really tight in my view."@WindhorstESPN talks about what to expect from the Lakers vs. Timberwolves series in the NBA playoffs

pic.twitter.com/csnmtzBbif

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) April 18, 2025

Windhorst brought up the fact that Luka Doncic was dominant over the Timberwolves last season in the playoffs, even though he was playing for a different team.

He expects Doncic to show up in a big way this year in his new Lakers jersey.

He might make a lot of noise and could be a serious problem that the Timberwolves cannot deal with.

On top of that, LeBron James and Austin Reaves will sure be offensive threats as well.

But the Timberwolves are no joke, and it’s important the Lakers take all of them, especially Anthony Edwards, seriously.

Edwards will be looking to lead his team and shoot from all over the court, while Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Naz Reid, Julius Randle, and others will attempt to contribute.

The Western Conference has been incredibly tight all season, so it’s no surprise that the third seed and sixth seed are similar in terms of what they can achieve and how much they can win.

This could be a very close and intense series and it’s not entirely clear who will come out on top.

The post Brian Windhorst Is Intrigued About 1 NBA Playoff Matchup appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/brian-windhorst-is-intrigued-about-1-nba-playoff-matchup/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Luka Doncic Admits He Loves Playing Against Rudy Gobert

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

On Saturday night, the Los Angeles Lakers will face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first game of their NBA playoffs run.

That means fans will get another chance to see Doncic go toe-to-toe with Minnesota big man Rudy Gobert.

Speaking with Malika Andrews on “SportsCenter,” Doncic was asked about playing against Gobert last season and what it meant to him.

Doncic said that he loves to “go against centers” and likes to battle Gobert, whom he considers one of the best defenders in the league.

Doncic definitely enjoyed playing against Gobert last season, but will he feel the same way this year?

Luka Doncic tells @malika_andrews why he loves playing against Rudy Gobert

"I just like to go against centers."

Lakers-Timberwolves Game 1

| 8:30 PM | ABC

pic.twitter.com/7iRfDjsmfv

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 19, 2025

Doncic and his Dallas Mavericks faced the Timberwolves last year on their march to the NBA Finals.

During the series against Minnesota, Doncic averaged 32.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 8.2 assists.

Gobert was all over him, but it wasn’t doing much, and Doncic continued to dominate.

The showdown between these two created a bunch of memes and viral moments, and Doncic’s fiery attitude was all over the internet.

He wants to be defended by the best, and he wants to outplay them.

The Timberwolves will be a big threat for the Lakers, especially because LA is lacking when it comes to having their own big man who can limit Gobert.

But Doncic doesn’t sound afraid.

In fact, he is excited to face this team again.

He is confident, which is good, but he shouldn’t get too confident because the Timberwolves could be a serious problem for the Lakers.

Will this series go as well as Doncic’s previous one against Minnesota?

The post Luka Doncic Admits He Loves Playing Against Rudy Gobert appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/luka-doncic-admits-he-loves-playing-against-rudy-gobert/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Luka Doncic Says He Impersonated 1 NBA Player After Huge Three On Tuesday

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Everyone knows that Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers is a huge offensive threat, and that was definitely true on Tuesday night.

Doncic went off with his 31 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

In a game that featured a lot of problems from beyond the three-point line, Doncic still posted a couple of impressive shots from downtown.

A video shared by the league on X featured Doncic scoring his three-pointer and then bragging about it to the rest of his team.

“After the shot, I looked at the [Timberwolves] bench. I knew it was going in. I did my best Steph impression,” Doncic said during the timeout.

Luka: "After the shot… I looked at the bench… I did my best Steph impression."

Game respects game

pic.twitter.com/czapw5ZDYi

— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2025

Doncic can often go off from beyond the arc, but he was having trouble on Tuesday.

He sank just two of his eight field goal attempts from that area, but he wasn’t the only one struggling.

Anthony Edwards was 2-of-8, Jaden McDaniels was 0-of-3, Austin Reaves was 0-of-6, and LeBron James was 1-of-5.

People were just having a hard time from a distance during the game.

Still, there is no doubt that Doncic is one of the most skilled shooters in the league.

He has performed some amazing circus shots that have to be seen to be believed.

He might not be as talented a three-point shooter as Steph Curry, but he certainly can silence opponents with this type of shot.

Doncic’s playoff start with the Lakers has been historic, and he has had two games over 30 points.

But he will need to keep playing like this as the games shift to Minnesota, where the Timberwolves will be eager to take a series lead again.

The post Luka Doncic Says He Impersonated 1 NBA Player After Huge Three On Tuesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/luka-do...ted-1-nba-player-after-huge-three-on-tuesday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards’ Poster Dunk On Jaxson Hayes Is Going Viral

(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Anthony Edwards has always loved to embarrass his opponents with dunks.

In fact, he has some of the best dunks in modern NBA history.

On Tuesday night, he was at it again versus the Los Angeles Lakers.

On X, the league shared a video of Edwards getting serious air over Lakers big man Jaxson Hayes.

Hayes didn’t stand a chance because when Edwards gets moving like this and is intent on dunking, no one can get in his way.

WITH TWO HANDS!!

STOP IT, ANT

pic.twitter.com/foWW2W35PU

— NBA (@NBA) April 23, 2025

As great as this dunk was, it’s not even in the top ten for Edwards.

Again and again throughout his career, he has posted incredible shots like this, rocking the rim and leaving his opponents on the ground.

Edwards finished the night with 22 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists.

This was an impressive showing from the young star, but not enough to get the Wolves over the Lakers.

After the game, Edwards revealed that he isn’t too worried about losing and is going to walk into the next game with a smile on his face.

The teams will be heading to Minnesota for Games 3 and 4, and Edwards feels like he is going to dominate.

The home crowd will be ready to root for him, and he will be prepared to show off.

This dunk caused quite a stir, even though the game was held in Los Angeles.

Fans are already imagining what will happen if he does something like this again while playing at home.

There is no doubt that the response will be enormous from the crowd.

The post Anthony Edwards’ Poster Dunk On Jaxson Hayes Is Going Viral appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-poster-dunk-on-jaxson-hayes-is-going-viral/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Julius Randle Notches Playoff Career-High On Tuesday

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers won Tuesday night’s Game 2 of the playoffs, but the Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t make it easy on them.

Julius Randle, in particular, was battling the Lakers all night long.

As pointed out by StatMuse, Randle posted 27 points and six assists, which was a playoff career-high in scoring.

Can we expect to see more numbers like this from Randle in this series?

Julius Randle in Game 2:

27 PTS
6 AST

His playoff career-high in scoring. pic.twitter.com/aXHM4Uh5w0

— StatMuse (@statmuse) April 23, 2025

He was the Lakers’ biggest headache all night long, shooting 45.5 percent from the field.

Randle was aggressive for the entire game and obviously felt in the zone for all four quarters.

Meanwhile, Anthony Edwards put up 25 points and six rebounds, while all other Minnesota players were in single digits.

It is only fitting that Randle had a great game against the team that drafted him.

He got his start with the Lakers in 2014, before moving to the New Orleans Pelicans and then the New York Knicks.

Last summer, he was part of the massive trade that sent him to Minnesota in exchange for Karl-Anthony Towns.

During his first season with the Wolves, Randle averaged 18.7 points, 7.1 rebounds, and 4.7 assists.

As great as Randle was, Minnesota wasn’t able to pull off a win, and so now the series is tied 1-1.

The good news for them is that the next two games will be held at home.

With a loud and loyal crowd behind them, the Timberwolves are looking to gain another advantage.

Multiple stars came up short for the team on Tuesday, so fans hope they can perform better in Game 3 and beyond.

What if everyone else contributes more and Randle keeps playing like this?

That would be very bad news for the Lakers.

The post Julius Randle Notches Playoff Career-High On Tuesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/julius-randle-notches-playoff-career-high-on-tuesday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Sends Message To Timberwolves After Loss Against Lakers

(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t able to win on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, but Anthony Edwards doesn’t seem to be too worried.

Speaking with Rachel Nichols after the game, he said he knows exactly what his team has to do as the series heads back home.

Edwards claimed that the Wolves should “go into Game 3 smiling” due to the fact that they fought their way back into Tuesday’s match.

He also said it will be vital that the Timberwolves don’t let the Lakers get off to a fast start like they did in Game 2.

Anthony Edwards says the Wolves should “go into Game 3 smiling” considering the way they fought back in tonight’s game. Says Minnesota just can’t let the Lakers get off to a fast start again.

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) April 23, 2025

So, Edwards sent a clear message to his team, but will they listen?

There was great fear among the Lakers’ fanbase about Tuesday’s game, because if the Timberwolves walked away with a 2-0 series lead, LA would be in an extremely tough spot.

But the Lakers came out of the gate strong and didn’t lose their energy for all four quarters.

It was a powerful showing from Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and their squad, but now they will have to play just like that again, if not better.

The next game will be in Minnesota, meaning the T-Wolves will have the roaring support of their home crowd.

Plus, they have several days to study the tape and see all the ways they went wrong.

Edwards already has suggestions about what his team should do, which should worry the Lakers.

At the same time, JJ Redick and his staff are surely doing the same thing and prepping for a hard-fought and intense match on the road.

Tuesday’s game showed that both teams have a lot of fight in them, and the rest of this series is going to get ugly.

The post Anthony Edwards Sends Message To Timberwolves After Loss Against Lakers appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-sends-message-to-timberwolves-after-loss-against-lakers/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Rudy Gobert Sends Message To Timberwolves After Series Win Against Lakers

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves put the Los Angeles Lakers down on Wednesday night, winning their opening round series and shutting down the naysayers who didn’t have faith in them.

Following the game, Rudy Gobert talked with ESPN and spoke about what his team brings to the table.

He understands that he is playing with a bunch of underdogs but also knows they have a lot of fight and confidence in what they can do.

“We have a lot of guys that are underdogs,” Gobert said. “Knowing this group of guys and knowing our mentality and how resilient we are individually and collectively, I never doubted this group.”

Indeed, most analysts thought the Lakers would be able to outlast the Timberwolves.

They were the third seed in the West, and the offensive power of LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and Austin Reaves would be just too much for Minnesota.

That’s what they thought, anyway, but the Timberwolves had a different plan.

Even though many people thought they’d lose the series, the T-wolves never did, and they played in each game like they had something to prove.

The very first game of this series proved Minnesota would be a problem for the Lakers, and things didn’t get much better after that.

Even LA’s sole victory in the opening round was a tough one, and it felt like there was always someone new from the Timberwolves who was making life hard.

On Wednesday night, it was Gobert himself who did the most damage against the Lakers.

He played like the four-time Defensive Player of the Year that he is, and LA just couldn’t get past him.

He was one of the many problems the Lakers encountered on the way to the end of their season.

The Timberwolves were underdogs, but they proved, once again, that no one should count them out.

The post Rudy Gobert Sends Message To Timberwolves After Series Win Against Lakers appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/rudy-go...timberwolves-after-series-win-against-lakers/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Stephen A. Smith Reveals What Went Wrong For Lakers In Playoffs

(Photo by Tim Heitman/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers never knew what hit them.

While they competed during stretches and even won one game, the Minnesota Timberwolves were the superior team from start to finish of this series.

That’s why, when asked what went wrong for the Lakers in the playoffs, Stephen A. Smith had a rather simple answer: The Timberwolves.

Talking on ESPN’s First Take, the renowned pundit tipped his hat to Anthony Edwards and company.

“Minnesota is what went wrong. Ant-Man is what went wrong,” he said.

"Minnesota is what went wrong. Ant-Man is what went wrong."

—@stephenasmith on the Lakers' early playoff exit pic.twitter.com/jkEoKjkBFH

— First Take (@FirstTake) May 1, 2025

He claimed that they were tougher, grittier, and more physical, and they just exposed the Lakers’ flaws.

While the Lakers’ lack of size was evident, Smith argued that the Timberwolves also made sure to take their stars’ strengths away from them.

They forced LeBron James to play defense, which is something he hasn’t done in almost a decade now.

As for Luka Doncic, they kept going at him over and over on defense, and they suffocated him the length of the court, once again exposing his questionable conditioning.

Last but not least, Smith stated that even though Austin Reaves is a very good player, the Timberwolves ‘humbled him’ and made him a virtual no-show with their defense.

Chris Finch coached circles around J.J. Redick.

Granted, the Lakers may not have had a serviceable big man to match up with Rudy Gobert, but refusing to at least try something different with Jaxson Hayes or Alex Len made the French center close out the series with a Wilt Chamberlain-like 27-point, 24-rebound outing.

They just weren’t prepared for this series.

The post Stephen A. Smith Reveals What Went Wrong For Lakers In Playoffs appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/stephen-a-smith-reveals-what-went-wrong-for-lakers-in-playoffs/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Uses 1 Word To Describe Rudy Gobert In Game 5

(Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t betting favorites in their series against the Los Angeles Lakers, but they moved past them with relative ease.

On Wednesday night, the Timberwolves beat the Lakers 103-96, mostly thanks to the incredible work of big man Rudy Gobert.

Gobert was a sensation throughout the game, scoring a playoff career high in points and rebounds and carrying the T-Wolves on his back.

Following the game, Anthony Edwards spoke of his teammate and had nothing but good things to say about him.

“Rudy [Gobert] played phenomenal, man. He played almost 40 minutes tonight,” Edwards said, via Underdog. “He was a dragon tonight.”

“He was a dragon tonight”

This Ant reaction to Rudy Gobert’s stat line

pic.twitter.com/51Blb3N33Q

— Underdog (@Underdog) May 1, 2025

Calling Gobert a dragon is appropriate because he was red-hot fire all night long.

He posted 27 points and 24 rebounds and seemed to get in LA’s way again and again during nearly every single play.

Edwards was glad to see his teammate do so well, especially because he was having an off night.

He was 0-for-11 from the three-point range, which was truly hurting the Timberwolves.

He ended the game with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.

But with Gobert carrying such a heavy load, the team remained fierce all night long.

He had just 14 points combined throughout the first four games of the series and received his fair share of criticism from fans who wanted to see more from him.

They got their wish, and now they hope he can continue to play like this.

The Timberwolves will get a few nights off as the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors continue to duke it out.

All eyes will be on Gobert for the second round with T-Wolves fans yearning for more performances like this.

The post Anthony Edwards Uses 1 Word To Describe Rudy Gobert In Game 5 appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-uses-1-word-to-describe-rudy-gobert-in-game-5/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Timberwolves Coach Praises Rudy Gobert After Stellar Performance On Wednesday

(Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers suffered many problems on Wednesday night during their elimination game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but none were bigger than Rudy Gobert.

Gobert put on a masterclass against the Lakers and helped lead to their 103-96 loss, which ended their season and sent the Timberwolves to the second round.

Following the game, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch talked to ESPN and praised Gobert and everything he brings to the team.

“Rudy’s a winner at the highest level. He drives winning,” Finch said. “You can not like who he is, how he does it, what he looks like, et cetera. When you have this guy on your team, you understand what a professional and a winner is.”

Gobert set a playoff record for himself with 27 points and 24 rebounds.

He easily led his team in points and rebounds and was behind only Doncic in points, who scored 28 for LA.

Gobert’s performance was incredible and made even more remarkable by the fact that he averaged 3.5 points and 6.3 rebounds for the series before Wednesday’s game.

He was clearly ready to put the Lakers away and came to play in Game 5.

Now the Timberwolves are preparing for the next series, which will be against either the Golden State Warriors or the Houston Rockets.

Gobert has received a lot of criticism over the years because of his inconsistency and some of his output on the offensive end of the court.

But on Wednesday, he was everywhere and doing everything.

The question is if Gobert can keep it up in the second round and possibly beyond.

It’s not often that he plays like he did during Game 5, so fans are cautiously optimistic.

Perhaps this was just the start of a long, powerful playoff run for Gobert and his Timberwolves.

The post Timberwolves Coach Praises Rudy Gobert After Stellar Performance On Wednesday appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/timberw...obert-after-stellar-performance-on-wednesday/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Anthony Edwards Shares Feelings After Winning Series Against Lakers

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Everyone knew the series between the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves was going to be intense and tough for both teams.

But in the end, the Timberwolves walked away with a victory and will now move on to the second round of the playoffs.

Following his team’s big win on Wednesday night, Anthony Edwards spoke with ESPN and the press about what made it so special.

“What makes it feel even better is that they said ‘Lakers in five,’ and the Wolves won in five,” Edwards said. “So I think that makes it feel 10 times better.”

Prior to the start of the playoffs, there were many analysts picking the Lakers as the winners.

And many of them said LeBron James, Luka Doncic, and his team could put Edwards and the T-Wolves away in about five games.

That wasn’t the case, and instead, the Lakers fell 4-1 in the series.

Things started wrong for the Lakers as they lost the first game in the series, which was held at home in Los Angeles.

Things continued to get tough for LA, and they never found their footing against Minnesota.

Now, the Timberwolves are waiting to see if they will battle against the Houston Rockets or the Golden State Warriors.

They will enter that next series with more enthusiasm and confidence, especially since they just took down the third seed in the West.

As for the Lakers, they have a long summer break, giving them enough time to figure out how to improve their roster and add more talent around James and Doncic.

Edwards knew many people had predicted his team would lose this series, which makes winning even more rewarding.

The post Anthony Edwards Shares Feelings After Winning Series Against Lakers appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/anthony-edwards-shares-feelings-after-winning-series-against-lakers/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Analyst Used 4 Words To Describe Timberwolves-Warriors Playoffs Matchup

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves just took down the Los Angeles Lakers, and now they have their sights set on another historic franchise: the Golden State Warriors.

The T-Wolves and their lead star aren’t afraid of a serious fight, and they are sure to get one from Steph Curry and his Warriors.

Writing for NBC.com, Shaun Powell summed up the series between Minnesota and Golden State.

“This is Ant’s time,” Powell wrote. “Over the last 12 months, Edwards has erased Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokić, LeBron James and Luka Dončić from the postseason. Will he add Curry’s pelt as well? Edwards appears to be on a star hunt as he makes his case for being the face of the NBA. He’s at the right age and the right stage of his career for a major takeover. Give him this: He’s not scared of the moment or the stage or the chance to be a folk hero. If anything, he embraces the challenge.”

Last season, Edwards was on a mission in the postseason.

He took down his idol, Kevin Durant, and then overpowered Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.

He wasn’t able to get past Luka Doncic in 2023-24, but that wasn’t the case this year, and his Timberwolves defeated the Lakers in five games.

Now he is ready to humble Curry as well, which would be just the latest huge accomplishment for the young star.

The Warriors have had the advantage over the Timberwolves in 2024-25, beating them three out of four times during the regular season.

But the playoffs are a completely different beast, and Minnesota has gotten better as the season has gone on.

They are playing well, and Edwards is obviously intent on being the best team in the West.

If he and his team can conquer the Warriors, it’ll be further proof that he may be the future face of the league.

The post Analyst Used 4 Words To Describe Timberwolves-Warriors Playoffs Matchup appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-used-4-words-to-describe-timberwolves-warriors-playoffs-matchup/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Analyst Reveals What Makes Warriors-Timberwolves ‘Perfect Opponents’

(Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves are set to battle each other in the second round of the NBA playoffs, and the unpredictability of this series is exciting for all basketball fans.

Writing for CBS Sports, Sam Quinn spoke of why these teams are such a perfect pairing.

Both have overcome lacking playoff opponents, and now they have to really prove what they are capable of.

“The Lakers and Rockets had flaws that were so glaring and obvious that any team with real championship ambitions should have been able to beat them. We can’t know yet, therefore, whether or not Golden State’s or Minnesota’s championship ambitions are yet legitimate.” Quinn wrote. “In a sense, that makes them perfect second-round opponents for one another.”

The Warriors just took down the Houston Rockets after seven games, while the T-Wolves put the Los Angeles Lakers away after only five, so the Warriors might be a little more fatigued than Minnesota.

With that being said, few teams have the sort of postseason experience that the Warriors do, so they should be greatly feared by the Timberwolves.

Even though neither of these teams were the odds-on favorites in their first series, a lot of people felt they’d win.

The Rockets were too inexperienced, and the Lakers were too small.

Sure enough, Golden State and Minnesota were able to come out on top, but now the real challenges await them.

This will be when they have to show what they are truly capable of, and things will likely be difficult.

For the Warriors, they want to remind everyone why they have done so well over the last decade, and the Timberwolves are eager to prove they are a true threat in the West.

This will be a high-stakes series for both teams, but only one can come out on top.

The post Analyst Reveals What Makes Warriors-Timberwolves ‘Perfect Opponents’ appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/analyst-reveals-what-makes-warriors-timberwolves-perfect-opponents/

 

[Minnesota Timberwolves]

Video Shows Anthony Edwards Reacting To Concerning Playoffs Stat

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a rough night on Tuesday and lost Game 1 of their series against the Golden State Warriors.

There were numerous reasons for their loss, but one of them was their abysmal three-point shooting.

Following the game, Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle were confronted with their poor three-point shooting.

“You guys going 12/76 [from three-points] over the last two games is the worst three-point shooting in the NBA Playoffs,” a reporter told them, via a video shared by Legion Hoops.

Edwards’ reaction said it all, and he clearly isn’t happy about his team’s performance.

Ant’s reaction after hearing the Wolves are 12-76 from three in the past two games

(h/t @BleacherReport)pic.twitter.com/7wMzzdDByJ

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) May 7, 2025

Holding a record for the worst three-point shooting in the NBA playoffs isn’t good, especially for a team that did quite well from beyond the arc during the regular season.

It’s even more pressing because they are now playing against a team that usually shoots terrifically from downtown.

However, the Warriors will now be without Steph Curry for a while because of an injury, which will impair their output of threes.

Still, the Timberwolves absolutely have to improve their three-point shooting as quickly as possible if they wish to win this series.

Edwards will be a huge part of that because he made threes a central focus of his offensive output this season.

Some fans were unhappy about that because they felt he was relying too much on outside shooting instead of making his way into the paint.

Perhaps all of the work he put into three-point shooting will pay off now.

Minnesota fans are looking for some substantial improvements between Games 1 and 2, and they will not be happy if the Timberwolves continue to struggle from a distance.

The post Video Shows Anthony Edwards Reacting To Concerning Playoffs Stat appeared first on The Cold Wire.

Source: https://www.thecoldwire.com/video-shows-anthony-edwards-reacting-to-concerning-playoffs-stat/