On May 28, 2025, the Minnesota Timberwolves, led by guard Anthony Edwards, endured a humiliating loss in Game 5 of the NBA Western Conference Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City. Already trailing the series 3-1, the Timberwolves’ playoff hopes suffered a severe blow following a disastrous first half and a historically embarrassing performance marked by an extraordinary number of turnovers. This setback has added the Wolves to the list of teams registering one of the worst turnover records ever recorded in NBA playoff history.
First Half Collapse Highlights Timberwolves’ Struggles
The Wolves entered Game 5 needing a comeback to keep their championship dreams alive but instead crumbled early. By halftime, the Thunder led by 33 points, dominating with a score of 65-32. Minnesota looked disorganized and helpless on both ends of the court, failing to execute fundamental plays. Their ineptitude culminated in a rare statistical ignominy: the Timberwolves committed more turnovers than successful field goals during the entire half, an alarming anomaly that drastically hindered any chance of recovery in the game.
Embarassing Turnover Feat Joins Unwanted Playoff Company
This unfortunate milestone places Minnesota alongside the Memphis Grizzlies and Cleveland Cavaliers, the only other teams this postseason to have more turnovers than made shots in a single half. The Grizzlies reached this low point in Game 3 against the Thunder, while the Cavaliers suffered a similar fate in Game 4 versus the Indiana Pacers. The Timberwolves’ inability to protect the ball and convert opportunities has thus cemented their place in an undesirable NBA playoff record category.
Wolves are the third team to have more turnovers than made shots in a half this playoffs. Grizzlies did it in Game 3 against OKC
Cavs did it in Game 4 against Indiana— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) May 29, 2025
Anthony Edwards and Team Face Pressure amid Mounting Playoff Disappointment
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota’s standout guard, and his teammates are now under intense scrutiny as the Timberwolves’ playoff run faces imminent collapse. The series deficit, combined with their failure to perform under pressure, has triggered a growing narrative about the team’s inability to handle critical playoff moments. The turnovers, in particular, have been costly, directly contributing to the severe deficit in Game 5 and the possibility of an early exit from the postseason.
Significance of the Collapse and What Lies Ahead
The Timberwolves’ current predicament underscores the volatility of playoff basketball, where momentum swings and execution lapses can unravel an entire season’s work in moments. For Minnesota and Anthony Edwards, this Game 5 defeat not only damages their chances of advancing but also stains their reputation with one of the most embarrassing turnover records of recent NBA playoffs. Moving forward, the team must regroup quickly to avoid elimination in the upcoming games and restore confidence if they hope to stay competitive in this critical series against the Oklahoma City Thunder.