Breaking: To advance to the Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves defeat the Warriors.

In a game that will be remembered as a defining moment in the evolution of a rising superstar, the Minnesota Timberwolves—led by the electric Anthony Edwards—defeated the Golden State Warriors to advance to the Western Conference Finals. The 112-105 win not only knocked out a dynasty, but it also signaled the arrival of a new force in the NBA’s power hierarchy. For a franchise long mired in inconsistency, disappointment, and unrealized potential, this was more than a playoff win—it was a coronation.

There was a sense of inevitability about Anthony Edwards from the moment he entered the league. His explosive athleticism, confident demeanor, and unshakable belief in himself made him a player to watch. But against the Warriors, with the season on the line and history at stake, he transformed from a budding star into a franchise-defining megastar.

Edwards finished with 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, but the numbers hardly capture the magnitude of his performance. It was his composure in the clutch, his poise under pressure, and his leadership throughout that elevated him above the rest. When the Timberwolves needed a bucket, he delivered. When they needed a stop, he dug deep. And when they needed belief, he provided it.

“Ant was special,” said Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch postgame. “He’s been building for this moment all season long, and tonight, he owned it. This is what greatness looks like.”

Minnesota’s rise hasn’t just been about Edwards. It’s been about a total transformation. Gone are the days when the Timberwolves were defined by defensive lapses and fourth-quarter collapses. This version of the team is gritty, focused, and relentless on both ends of the floor.

Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns deserve special mention for anchoring the interior, with Gobert altering shots and dominating the glass while Towns poured in 24 points and grabbed 11 boards. Jaden McDaniels held up well in perimeter defense, chasing Steph Curry around endless screens and making him work for every inch.

The Timberwolves’ bench also played a vital role, with Naz Reid, Kyle Anderson, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker combining for 28 points and keeping the energy high when the starters rested. Their defensive versatility and high-IQ plays underscored the depth of this Minnesota roster—a key reason they outlasted the more experienced but thinner Warriors squad.

On the other side of the court, the Golden State Warriors looked every bit the team at the tail end of a dynastic run. While Steph Curry (31 points) and Klay Thompson (22 points) had flashes of brilliance, the Warriors’ lack of reliable secondary options and an aging core were exposed in this series.

Draymond Green fouled out late in the fourth quarter, capping off a frustrating series for the veteran forward. The Warriors leaned heavily on their “foundational six,” but against a younger, faster, and deeper Timberwolves team, that formula finally came up short.

“This one hurts,” admitted Steve Kerr. “We fought, we believed, but we couldn’t match their energy and depth over seven games. Minnesota earned it.”

Kerr hinted that changes could be coming. Whether that means a new role for Thompson, the emergence of Jonathan Kuminga, or even the potential end of an era, the offseason questions surrounding Golden State loom large.

The game itself lived up to the hype. In a packed Target Center that thundered with playoff energy, both teams traded blows early. The Timberwolves led 58-55 at halftime, thanks in large part to Edwards’ 18 first-half points.

In the third quarter, Curry tried to flip the script. The two-time MVP scored 13 in the frame, including a step-back triple that gave the Warriors a brief lead. But Minnesota weathered the storm. Edwards, Towns, and Gobert responded with a 12-2 run to close the quarter, re-establishing control.

The fourth quarter was a tense affair. With five minutes to go, the game was tied at 97. That’s when Edwards put his stamp on the night. He drained a deep three, followed it up with a transition dunk after stealing the ball from Curry, and then found Towns in the post for a dagger layup. Just like that, the Timberwolves surged ahead and never looked back.

When the final buzzer sounded, the crowd erupted. Players hugged, coaches high-fived, and Edwards climbed onto the scorer’s table in celebration. It wasn’t just a win. It was a breakthrough.

For years, the Timberwolves were viewed as an afterthought in the Western Conference. Aside from the Kevin Garnett era and a few fleeting playoff appearances, the franchise struggled to remain relevant. But with this victory, they have cemented themselves as legitimate contenders—not just for this season, but possibly for years to come.

“I think we’re just getting started,” said Edwards. “We’re hungry. We want more. We respect everybody, but we don’t fear anybody.”

That mindset is contagious. The Timberwolves now boast one of the best defensive units in the league, a top-tier closer in Edwards, a rejuvenated Towns playing his best basketball in years, and a deep, cohesive supporting cast.

The Timberwolves will now advance to the Western Conference Finals to face either the Denver Nuggets or the Phoenix Suns. Both present unique challenges—Denver with their reigning MVP Nikola Jokić and Phoenix with their firepower in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker—but neither opponent will overlook this Minnesota squad.

If anything, the Timberwolves’ ability to knock off the Warriors—a team that has defined postseason excellence for nearly a decade—proves they are built for the bright lights. The defense travels. Edwards is a bucket. And their chemistry is undeniable.

The series will also test the mettle of Finch, who has outcoached his counterparts thus far with his ability to make in-game adjustments and manage rotations effectively.

“We’ll enjoy this tonight,” Finch said, “but the job’s not done. We’re chasing something bigger.”

While the focus rightly shifts to the Timberwolves’ future, it’s impossible to ignore the potential end of an era for the Warriors. With Thompson set to hit free agency, Green showing signs of decline, and Curry turning 37 next season, the organization faces a crossroads.

Is this the end of the dynasty that won four titles and changed the way basketball is played? Or will the front office attempt one more run by reshaping the roster around Curry?

General Manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob will face tough decisions in the coming months. For now, all they can do is reflect on a team that gave everything it had—but simply ran into a younger, hungrier opponent.

Back in Minnesota, the focus will be squarely on Anthony Edwards, and rightfully so. He has been the emotional engine of this team, a player who raises the ceiling on every possession. The moment has never felt too big for him—whether it was taking the challenge of guarding Curry or hitting dagger shots with millions watching.

He’s the face of this Timberwolves renaissance, and with the way he’s playing, it’s not hard to imagine him leading them to even greater heights.

“This is what I dreamed about,” Edwards said during his on-court interview. “Not just playing in these games, but winning them. This city deserves it.”

The Timberwolves’ victory over the Warriors represents more than just a playoff series win. It’s the culmination of years of growth, the realization of untapped potential, and the promise of a new era in the NBA. Anthony Edwards has arrived as a full-fledged superstar. The supporting cast has coalesced into one of the most balanced units in basketball. And Minnesota, at long last, is roaring into relevance.

For a franchise and a fanbase that has waited decades for a moment like this, it’s not just a step forward—it’s a leap into the future.