The Golden State Warriors escaped what could have been a historic collapse, finally putting away the Houston Rockets in a seven-game first-round series.
Their second-round matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves comes with massive stakes. Coming off an exhausting Game 7 with minimal rest, conventional wisdom suggested the Warriors might struggle with energy.
Instead, they flipped the script entirely and etched their name in the record books.
In Game 1, Golden State limited the Timberwolves to 31 points in the first half, setting a franchise record for fewest points allowed in a playoff half since the shot clock was introduced in 1954.
“The Dubs’ defense made a stand in the first half,” NBCS Warriors wrote on X.
The Dubs’ defense made a stand in the first half 🚫 pic.twitter.com/wUHH9CGdpU
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) May 7, 2025
This defensive dominance created an absolute shooting disaster for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves missed their first 16 attempts from 3-point range before Naz Reid finally broke the drought midway through the third quarter.
Anthony Edwards, typically a scoring machine, struggled to find any offensive rhythm.
These factors gave Golden State crucial breathing room, especially after Stephen Curry exited the game with a hamstring injury.
Moving forward, maintaining such defensive intensity will be a tall order for the Warriors.
However, if they can secure a Game 2 victory on Minnesota’s home court, it would dramatically shift the series dynamics.
Stealing the opener not only gave the Warriors a mathematical advantage but also provided a significant psychological edge as they continue their championship pursuit.
The question now becomes whether this defensive showing was a one-game anomaly or a sign of what the Warriors can consistently accomplish.
NEXT: Steve Kerr Praises Key Warriors Player For Defense Against Timberwolves
