One of the two semifinal matchups in the 2025 NBA playoffs returns to the Bay Area as the Minnesota Timberwolves face the Golden State Warriors, who are currently missing their biggest star, Steph Curry. Despite a combined epic effort from Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga, the Warriors just couldn’t stop Anthony Edwards’ second-half takeover in the pivotal Game 3 in the best-of-seven series.
Ant-Man Struggled Right Off the Bat, but Regained Composure in the Second Half
Edwards had a slow start in Game 3. His shots weren’t falling, and he struggled to contribute to the team, allowing the Warriors to take the lead at the half. However, things took a turn for the Wolves after Ant-Man switched it on, scoring 15 points in the third quarter alone. Anthony Edwards’ picture-perfect poster dunk on Kevon Looney somehow also proves the ankle injury he sustained in Game 2 may just not be that serious.
Like the great scorer he is, the 23-year-old All-Star finished with a game-high 36 points, including a dagger three to seal the win with less than 1:20 in the game.
Alongside him is the resurging Julius Randle, who’s having a terrific playoffs this year despite the doubts and questions regarding his consistency. In Game 3, Randle recorded a triple-double, 24 points, 12 dimes, and 10 boards to help the Timberwolves subdue the Warriors, 102-97.
Butler and Kuminga Doing Everything to Win
Having Curry on the injured list is definitely a bad spell for the Warriors. The greatest shooter of all time is undoubtedly one of the major reasons why they’re in the playoffs, and without him, it’s going to be a difficult road for Golden State.
Despite his absence, the former champs still showed their extensive playoff experience and playoff pedigree by keeping up with a younger, bigger, and more talented Timberwolves squad, thanks to Butler and Kuminga’s combined 63 points.
Game 3 showed classic Jimmy Buckets as the former Miami Heat star was everywhere on the court and finished with a team-high 33 points and 7 assists, on top of 7 rebounds in 43 minutes. Kuminga, on the other hand, put up 30 points and 6 rebounds off the bench, his best outing in the playoffs so far. The young forward is only averaging 8.5 points per game in the playoffs before Game 3.
One devastating event that could have destroyed their chances of taking the 2-1 lead on Sunday was Draymond Green fouling out in the fourth quarter. Before Green got disqualified from the game, the Warriors were going toe to toe with the Timberwolves, and the victory could have gone either way.
Steph Curry’s Return Still Questionable
ESPN’s Shams Charania estimated that Curry’s earliest possible return is on May 18, when the Warriors could possibly host the Timberwolves for a game 6–even that is still unlikely, considering the magnitude of his injury, and that is if they force the series to six games or more.
