Anthony Edwards, Julius Randle, Minnesota Timberwolves
Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Timberwolves are fresh off a 4-1 series victory over the Golden State Warriors. They will either play the Oklahoma City Thunder or Denver Nuggets. A return to the Western Conference Finals is on the docket for the second straight year.
Minnesota has gone 6-2 in the NBA Playoffs after dropping the Los Angeles Lakers by a 4-1 deficit in the first round. While this team took some time to find their way, it appears as though they are coming together at the right time.
National talking heads don’t typically give teams from Minnesota their flowers. In a surprising turn of events, ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith is ready to do much more than that.
Minnesota Timberwolves as NBA Title favorites says Stephen A. Smith
Draymond Green used his postgame podium time to talk up the Minnesota Timberwolves and suggested “they have a real chance” at winning it all. Stephen A. Smith, who is well known for his boisterous personality goes one step further. The First Take host says they should be the favorites.
Stephen A Smith has the Minnesota Timberwolves as NBA Finals Favorites 😳 pic.twitter.com/6EYRFSFdgy
— SneakerReporter (@SneakerReporter) May 16, 2025
“I believe that the Minnesota Timberwolves should be a favorite to win a championship at this point. I think they should be favored over the Knicks. I think they should be favored over the Indiana Pacers. I think they should be favored over OKC (Oklahoma City), even, and definitely Denver who they beat all four times they played this year. I think when you see the way they play defense, obviously that rivals OKC, who they split their four games with this year.
I’m going to bring up the name Julius Randle, because when I think about how he has played in these playoffs, particularly the last four games of the series against Golden State…We know what Ant-man brings to the table. I think that when you’re Oklahoma City and you’re thinking about a team you have to concern yourself with…Minnesota could stay close enough. It could come down to SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) versus Ant-man. I just think that even though SGA is about to win league MVP, Ant-man is so special. Particularly at this moment in his career. I just find it hard to believe that I can look at anybody and say, at this juncture, that they should be favored over Minnesota.”
Stephen A. Smith – ESPN
That is quite the strong vote of confidence from Smith. Maybe even moreso because the Minnesota Timberwolves have not played their best basketball during the playoffs. As a team they have come out on top and looked like the better unit, but they have also had roster advantages in each matchup.
Multiple games have seen Anthony Edwards get off to slow starts and he has three games where he shot 40% or worse from the field. His three-point percentage (38.5%) is down from the 39.5% he shot during the regular season. Although he had the big 43-point performance against the Lakers, his teammates have stepped up.
Related: Draymond Green Glazes Timberwolves, Including a Little Love for Rudy Gobert…?
On the flip side, if the Timberwolves get a more efficient and consistent Edwards, then no opponent stands a chance. Julius Randle has been huge in both series and has established himself as a serious difference maker among Chris Finch’s rotation.
History made by MN Timberwolves
A return to the Western Conference Finals looked impossible at points early on during this Minnesota Timberwolves season. Ultimately they weather the storm and the team gelled in the wake of trading franchise fixture Karl-Anthony Towns.
Now they are on the doorstep of an NBA Finals berth for the second straight season, and have accomplished that feat for the first time in franchise history.
"There is no satisfaction." 🗣️
Ant & Rudy are hungry for more after clinching a spot in the Conference Finals 👀 pic.twitter.com/POHn4JBoH3
— NBA TV (@NBATV) May 15, 2025
As Anthony Edwards said though, this team is not and can not be satisfied. The goal is still to win eight more games and anything short of that would be a disappointment.
Minnesota will face either Oklahoma City or Denver, and with an additional period of rest, they’ll be looking to give the opponent all they can handle.
Mentioned in this article: Anthony Edwards Julius Randle Stephen A. Smith More About:Minnesota Timberwolves