After seizing a pivotal 102–97 Game 3 win at Chase Center, Minnesota leads the West semifinals 2–1.
With Stephen Curry sidelined, Naz Reid firmly warned against complacency, emphasizing every game demands maximum focus as the series moves to raucous, hometown Minnesota.
Naz Reid: No Room for Loosening the Ends
Despite holding a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinals, Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid made it clear there is no margin for error this late in the playoffs, even against a Stephen Curry-less Golden State Warriors squad.
“There’s no sigh of relief at any point,” Reid asserted following the Game 3 victory. “This is a playoff series for a reason. Whether you’re up or down, you still got to go take care of business”.
With Curry sidelined by a hamstring strain, Golden State has leaned heavily on Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga to fill the offensive void. Reid’s comments underscore Minnesota’s determination to treat each contest as a must-win, regardless of the scoreboard.
Reid’s own playoff résumé has been a quiet but steady force for the Wolves. In Game 1, he contributed 19 points off the bench and drained one of Minnesota’s rare three-pointers after the team began 0-16 from deep. Despite leaving Game 2 briefly with an apparent hamstring issue, Reid returned undeterred and continued to make an impact on both ends of the floor.
As Minnesota’s starting 5-man lineup has fluctuated, Reid’s versatility has become invaluable. He can stretch defenses with a reliable mid-range shot while also stepping into help-defense rotations to contest drives and protect the rim.
His professional maneuvers at the post and his dedication to give hardcore screens give teammates like Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle the ability to work in isolation effectively.
Timberwolves’ Balanced Attack Overpowers Bay Area
Game 3 proved to be another showcase of Minnesota’s collective depth, as the Timberwolves edged the Warriors 102-97 at Chase Center to seize a 2-1 series advantage.
TIMBERWOLVES TAKE A 2-1 SERIES LEAD OVER WARRIORS
– ANTHONY EDWARDS 28-POINT SECOND HALF
– JULIUS RANDLE TRIPLE DOUBLE
– WE HAVE JADEN MCDANIELS
– NAZ REID
– 4TH QUARTER WIN
– #WOLVESBACK pic.twitter.com/RmQ7RbyvXc— Wolves Lead (@TWolvesLead) May 11, 2025
After trailing by two at halftime, Minnesota flipped the script behind a 29-point third quarter that swung the momentum in their favor. Despite a late push from Golden State — buoyed by Jonathan Kuminga’s playoff career-high 30 points — the Wolves maintained enough separation down the stretch to escape with the win.
With 36 in the pocket, Anthony Edwards took on the offense and contributed greatly to the comeback. He finished with 28 points after the break, clutch baskets in fast breaks, and mid-range shots when the Warriors started to trap him in the post. Edwards’ powerful ending soon had Golden State on the ropes, and driving lanes were cleared for his mates.
Julius Randle really stepped up across the board, putting together a triple-double with 24 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists—just what the team needed to go along with Edwards’ scoring burst.
On the other side, Draymond Green got into foul trouble again—his fifth technical of the playoffs—which made it tough for him to stay on the floor and gave Minnesota some key advantages up front. Rudy Gobert made his presence felt, too, especially on the boards, pulling down 13 rebounds and helping the Wolves win the rebounding battle 44 to 36.
