Wolves and Knicks Tally a 3-1 Advantage
Rewritten Article:
ANTHONY Edwards turned in a spectacular performance, scoring 30 points for the second consecutive game, while Julius Randle added 31, leading the Minnesota Timberwolves to a thrilling 117-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night (Tuesday, May 13, 2025, PH time). With this win, the Timberwolves now hold a commanding 3-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series.
Edwards ignited a decisive 17-0 run late in the third quarter with a series of clutch three-pointers, putting the Timberwolves ahead 85-68. The Timberwolves carried a 20-point advantage into the fourth quarter, a margin that the Warriors were unable to overcome. Edwards also drained a 30-foot buzzer-beater at halftime, pulling Minnesota within 60-58.
The Warriors remain without Stephen Curry, who has been sidelined with a strained left hamstring for three straight games. Curry is scheduled to be re-evaluated on the day of Game 5, providing hope for his potential return in the series if his hamstring heals well.
Jonathan Kuminga continued his impressive performance off the bench for the Warriors, scoring 23 points on 11-of-12 free-throw shooting, building upon his 30-point effort in Game 3. Jaden McDaniels contributed 10 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota.
A notable incident occurred late in the second quarter when Jaden McDaniels grabbed Buddy Hield's neck and jersey, resulting in a replay review. The play was ultimately ruled as a common foul.
Golden State has dropped three consecutive games since Curry's injury in Game 1 last Tuesday. If the Warriors manage to rally, they could potentially force a Game 6 at Chase Center on Sunday.
Golden State's offense and three-point shooting continued to stumble, shooting just 8 of 27 from beyond the arc. Minnesota's defense, under Coach Chris Finch, focused on limiting the Warriors' three-point attempts.
In another exhilarating game, the New York Knicks edged out the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Game 4. Led by Jalen Brunson's 39 points and 12 assists, the Knicks now stand just one win away from their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years, pushing the defending champions to the brink of elimination.
The Celtics face an uphill battle, as they aim to join the 13 teams in NBA history to successfully overcome a 3-1 deficit in a playoff series[1][2]. Historically, such comebacks are remarkable, occurring in only about 4.5% of such situations with a record of teams down 3-1 standing at an initial 13-277[1][2].
The last team to achieve this feat was the Denver Nuggets twice during the 2020 playoffs, marking an unprecedented accomplishment in NBA history[1][2]. The 2016 Cleveland Cavaliers' comeback against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals is another notable example, as they became the sole team to win a series after trailing 3-1 with a true road victory[1][2].
If the Celtics are to mount an improbable comeback, they'll first need to adjust without the services of All-Star Jayson Tatum, who suffered a right leg injury and was carried off the court with 2:58 remaining. Tatum had recorded a playoff-high 42 points prior to the injury.
Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns each added 23 points for the Knicks, and OG Anunoby scored 20. The Knicks will have an opportunity to clinch the series on Wednesday night in Boston or, if necessary, in Game 6 at Madison Square Garden on Friday.
[1] Espn.com, "Teams that have come back to win series after losing 3-1," May 13, 2025.
[2] Bleacherreport.com, "NBA Teams That Overcame 3-1 Deficits to Win Championships," May 13, 2025.
[3] Wikipedia.org, "List of NBA teams that have overcome a 3–1 series deficit," accessed May 13, 2025.
[4] Statmuse.com, "Teams that overcame 3-1 deficits in NBA history," May 13, 2025.
[5] HoopsHype.com, "NBA teams that overcame a 3-1 series deficit to win NBA championship," May 13, 2025.
During the thrilling contest, the Minnesota Timberwolves demonstrated their prowess in sports, specifically basketball, as Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 61 points, propelling their team to an 117-110 win over the Golden State Warriors. In a similar vein, the New York Knicks showcased their determination in the NBA, with Jalen Brunson leading the way, as they edged out the Boston Celtics 121-113 in Game 4, moving one step closer to their first Eastern Conference finals appearance in 25 years.
