Game 1 Stunner: Warriors Outduel Timberwolves in Minnesota with Defensive Masterclass

Jaco Pieterse

May 11 2025

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Warriors Set the Tone by Snatching Game 1 Away from Timberwolves

Getting an NBA playoff win on the road is always tough, but the Warriors made it look routine in Minnesota. In front of a hopeful Timberwolves crowd, Golden State delivered a wire-to-wire 99-88 victory in Game 1, immediately throwing a wrench into Minnesota’s plans for home-court advantage. With a focused defensive effort and perfectly timed buckets, the Warriors showed they’re not backing down just because the crowd isn’t on their side.

For the Timberwolves, it was obvious from the jump they had no easy answers. Sure, Anthony Edwards powered in 25 points, but most of Minnesota’s offense felt like trying to run in quicksand. The Warriors threw wave after wave of pressure, clogging passing lanes and swarming ball-handlers. The Timberwolves shot just 41% and coughed up too many possessions with careless turnovers, never quite looking settled.

Stephen Curry, often the engine of Golden State’s attack, wasn’t just firing deep threes — although, naturally, he hit a couple of those to silence the Target Center. Curry deftly controlled the pace, creating open shots for himself and teammates, all while making sure Minnesota’s defense couldn’t key in on a single player. Meanwhile, Draymond Green did his usual do-everything routine, directing traffic on defense, snagging rebounds, and threading needles with smart passes. His versatility made Minnesota think twice on nearly every play.

Defense and Depth Outshine Home-Court Hopes

Defense and Depth Outshine Home-Court Hopes

It wasn’t about one superstar going nuclear for Golden State. If anything, Game 1 became a showcase for team basketball. The Warriors’ bench chipped in at key moments — whether it was grabbing offensive boards or forcing a crucial stop. Even as Minnesota tried to rally late, it always felt like the Warriors had another defensive answer in their back pocket.

For the Timberwolves, the problem wasn’t just Edwards doing too much. Karl-Anthony Towns and other starters couldn’t find their spots comfortably. Each mistake — an errant pass, a rushed jumper — played right into the Warriors’ game plan. With the series now shifting in terms of momentum, Minnesota faces some real questions about their ball security and shot selection. They’ll need more than just individual scoring bursts to overcome this level of defensive intensity.

  • Turnovers proved deadly: Every mishap led to easy buckets the other way.
  • Curry and Green’s leadership: Their veteran presence calmed the Warriors when things got tight.
  • Bench production: Golden State’s subs made sure the starters weren’t running on fumes in crunch time.
  • Minnesota’s rhythm: Never quite there, leaving them scrambling to keep up.

The pressure now shifts heavily onto the Timberwolves to make necessary adjustments both mentally and tactically. For the Warriors, Game 1 was a statement — home-court doesn’t mean a thing when you play defense like this, and offense starts to flow when you trust teammates. With the series wide open, all eyes turn to see whether Minnesota can regroup and respond, or if the Warriors keep their foot on the gas.