The Timberwolves had two practice days over the weekend to prepare for their second-round playoff series, with no opponent for which to prepare because the matchup won’t be determined until late Sunday after Houston and Golden State play their Game 7.
Regardless, Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinal series is Tuesday.
“Yeah, it’s weird,” Wolves forward Julius Randle said of the time spent in limbo. “It’s definitely weird, for sure.”
Julius Randle #30 of the Minnesota Timberwolves shoots the ball against the Los Angeles Lakers during the fourth quarter in Game Five of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena on April 30, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
And perhaps not as productive? Minnesota’s super power as a team over the past couple of years has been using playoff prep time to prepare for an upcoming opponent. With a week off to scout and get ready, Minnesota swept Phoenix, won Games 1 and 2 against Denver and then blitzed the Lakers in Game 1 of this year’s first-round matchup.
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch credited the scouting work his staff does and the team’s ability to create and convey game plans to players. That extends beyond team-wide practices.
“I think some of the work that you do individually with your players in player development is just as important, going through what Ant’s going to see, going through what Julius is going to see, the reads that they’re going to have to make,” Finch said. “I think that’s really important. Our staff has done an amazing job in the time that I’ve been here in preparing our guys for those moments.”
But not knowing an opponent means you don’t necessarily know what things for which you’ll have to prepare and be ready. Finch said the practice plans over the weekend required thought.
“You wanted to be targeted in your approach,” he said. “We looked at the commonalities between both teams, highlighted those and tried to work on those. Just some other things that we haven’t been able to work on in a little bit. It’s been good.”
In terms of self assessment, Wolves guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker noted how many open shots Minnesota missed on the perimeter, particularly in Game 5, against Los Angeles. He said this weekend provided a chance for Minnesota to further familiarize itself with such shots, anticipating similar looks will arise down the road as teams resort to the same schemes the Lakers utilized in an attempt to slow Anthony Edwards.
Rudy Gobert said emphasizing offensive and defensive transition as well as rebounding is always key for Minnesota to be the team it wants to be.
Finch also noted it’s always an advantage to be the rested team coming into a series. Regardless of who wins Sunday, that team will have fewer than 48 hours between the end of Game 7 and the start of Game 1. And the rounds tend to only get more physical and draining from here.
So, Minnesota understands the importance of using this time as a mental and physical reset.
“I think you have to have time away from it,” Finch said. “Put the work in, prepare accordingly, but I think there’s times you have to step away from it, and a lot of times that frees up your mind for fresh ideas or a fresh approach.”
From a player’s perspective, that means putting an equal amount of emphasis on rest.
“Obviously, we’re excited, we’re ready to play. But whoever we play, we’ll be ready for,” Randle said. “The coaches will have us prepared. But in the meantime, try to recover as much as you can, get in the weight room, get your body prepared or just try to stay prepared and focused.”
As Gobert put it, “Prepare our bodies and our minds.”
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