
The Timberwolves are out of the NBA playoffs. How do they build from this season?
The Minnesota Timberwolves are now out of the NBA playoffs. While they didn't exactly go down swinging in their 124-94 blowout loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 5, making back-to-back trips to the Western Conference finals is no small feat.
They took down both the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors in five games, with Anthony Edwards adding LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Stephen Curry — despite him missing most of the series with a hamstring injury — to his list of elite players he and the Timberwolves have defeated. But the 68-win Thunder proved to be a step ahead.
Advertisement
On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Zena Keita were joined by Timberwolves beat writer Jon Krawczynski, as they broke down Game 5 and looked ahead to the offseason. They also discussed why the Timberwolves faltered in the Western Conference finals, what Edwards can learn from the series loss to Oklahoma City, whether Chris Finch could have done more to free up his star player, the need for Minnesota to add an additional ballhandler during the offseason and what was most memorable about this 2024-25 Timberwolves team.
Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
(Photo of Anthony Edwards: Zach Beeker / NBAE via Getty Images)
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Bloomberg
9 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Senate GOP Plans to Boost CFPB Scrutiny, Cut Fed Employee Pay
The Senate Banking Committee is planning to eliminate all mandatory funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and restrict the pay of many Federal Reserve employees as part of the Senate's big tax and spending bill, according to a person familiar with the matter. The proposal, outlined in a committee memo, would require the CFPB to seek funding in the regular appropriations process rather than receive it from the Fed.


CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
Jaquan Brisker glad to be back practicing with Bears after recovering from concussion
The Bears held their second day of mandatory minicamp at Halas Hall on Tuesday, and Pro Bowler Jaylon Johnson was among the two excused absences. But the return to active duty of another defensive back, Jaquan Brisker, was a welcome sight. Brisker said it felt great to be back on the football field. The Bears safety missed the final 11 games last season because of a concussion. "It was hard, you know, being away from football — especially week to week. You know, it was kind of, you know, getting sad, depressing, things like that, Brisker said. "But you know, got over it. It's time to move on, and I'm back now." Getting over it was not easy for Brisker. He said because of the type of concussion he had, he basically had to retrain his nervous system — doing a lot of side-to-side movements and getting his eyes moving around. This was also his third diagnosed concussion in three seasons, but Brisker says there was no talk about retiring. No, not with no one — especially not myself, not with my parents," Brisker said. "I feel like if my parents, you know, say something, it's deep. So if it didn't come from them, or come from me, I didn't hear it, to be honest." Brisker said he was not worried about himself. "No, I'm not. I'm good. I'm past that point. I'm really moving on, so I'm just focused on playing ball," he said. "I'm really clear, man. I'm really good." Brisker said his teammates, especially Montez Sweat, helped him through the toughest times last season. He added that this is just another bump in the road, and now No. 9 is back and on the field to make plays.


CBS News
9 minutes ago
- CBS News
Maryland Whipsnakes pro lacrosse players join pick-up games with the youth
Members of the Maryland Whipsnakes, a Baltimore-based professional lacrosse team, took on some youth players in a fun-filled pick-up game on Wednesday. The "Pick-up in the Park" allowed youth lacrosse players to play with pro lacrosse players Rob Pannell and Matt Rambo, who both play for the Whipsnakes. "It's such a big sport in Maryland, and just seeing the kids from 6 years old all the way to high school, just coming out and having a good time, this is what it's all about," Rambo said. "No pads, just running around and having a good time." "It's this type of stuff that I loved growing up, playing in the backyard type of lacrosse stuff with my friends," Pannell added. "A lot of these kids had talent. I'll tell you what, I hopped in goal for a little bit, and it didn't really go too well." Organizers say they were hoping to attract around 100 children, but an early count suggests there were around 200. It's a sport that has grown in Maryland over the past couple of years, according to Whipsnakes fan Matt Hettiger. "I've been a Whipsnakes fan since 2019, but it definitely picked up with them making Maryland their home last year," Hettiger said. "Between last year kicking off with hometowns and this year getting excited for the games, you see a huge difference, a lot more Whipsnakes gear around. A lot more kids identify with the Whipsnakes as their hometown team." Maryland lacrosse fans were excited to see members of the Whipsnakes interacting and participating with the youth. "You know it's awesome that they want to give back," Whipsnakes fan John Long said. "It's phenomenal that they're doing that. They were great with the kids. It was a lot of fun." Who are the Maryland Whipsnakes? The Maryland Whipsnakes are members of the Premier Lacrosse League. They were founded in 2019 and have won championships in 2019 and 2020. Local members of the team include Alex Mazzone (Johns Hopkins), Roman Puglise (Maryland), Matt Rambo (Maryland), Colin Heacock (Maryland, from Catonsville), Tim Muller (Maryland), Jack Koras (Maryland, from Lutherville), Scott Smith (Johns Hopkins), Ryan Conrad (Virginia, from Timonium), Matt Dunn (Maryland, from Baltimore), Ajax Zappitello (Maryland), Adam Poitras (Loyola) and Jake Bernhardt (Maryland). The Whipsnakes open their season on Saturday, June 21 at Baltimore's Homewood Field. Rambo, a Maryland Terps lacrosse alum, joked that he wished they could play their home games in College Park, but said he was excited nonetheless just to be playing back in Maryland.