The Golden State Warriors escaped what might have been a historic collapse, lastly placing away the Houston Rockets in a seven-game first-round sequence.
Their second-round matchup in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves comes with huge stakes. Coming off an exhausting Sport 7 with minimal relaxation, typical knowledge prompt the Warriors may battle with power.
As a substitute, they flipped the script solely and etched their identify within the report books.
In Sport 1, Golden State restricted the Timberwolves to 31 factors within the first half, setting a franchise report for fewest factors allowed in a playoff half because the shot clock was launched in 1954.
“The Dubs’ protection made a stand within the first half,” NBCS Warriors wrote on X.
The Dubs’ protection made a stand within the first half 🚫 pic.twitter.com/wUHH9CGdpU
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) Could 7, 2025
This defensive dominance created an absolute capturing catastrophe for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves missed their first 16 makes an attempt from 3-point vary earlier than Naz Reid lastly broke the drought halfway by means of the third quarter.
Anthony Edwards, sometimes a scoring machine, struggled to search out any offensive rhythm.
These elements gave Golden State essential respiration room, particularly after Stephen Curry exited the sport with a hamstring damage.
Transferring ahead, sustaining such defensive depth can be a tall order for the Warriors.
Nonetheless, if they’ll safe a Sport 2 victory on Minnesota’s house courtroom, it could dramatically shift the sequence dynamics.
Stealing the opener not solely gave the Warriors a mathematical benefit but additionally offered a big psychological edge as they proceed their championship pursuit.
The query now turns into whether or not this defensive exhibiting was a one-game anomaly or an indication of what the Warriors can persistently accomplish.
NEXT: Steve Kerr Praises Key Warriors Participant For Protection Towards Timberwolves
