In a game that will be remembered by the highlight reels for Draymond Green—yes, Draymond—pulling up from deep ten times and hitting four, and for Steph Curry leaving with a tweaked hamstring after a blistering 13 points in 13 minutes, Game 1 of the Western Conference Semi-Finals offered the Timberwolves something far more valuable than viral moments: a golden opportunity.

And they fumbled it..

That might sound harsh for a team that won 49 games after a massive trade where they sent their star big man, Karl-Anthony Towns to New York, but this wasn’t new. This wasn’t growing pains or bright lights. This was the Wolves doing what they’ve done all season—play below their talent, lose focus in the margins, and fail to decide who they really want to be.

The inconsistency has been baked into their DNA all year long. One night they look like world-beaters, the next they look like they overslept and hit snooze through warmups. Game 1 at Target Center? Hit snooze.

They held a slim lead early in the second quarter. Then it was gone. A 12-point hole materialized from lazy closeouts, disjointed offensive possessions, and, as head coach Chris Finch put it postgame, a collective mental checkout.

“It starts with Ant,” Finch said. “He struggled early, and then you could just kinda see the light go out for a while.”

Anthony Edwards finished with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and two assists. The box score flatters. He scored one point in the first half. One. Point. This is a guy who everyone expects to wear the face-of-the-league crown. But it’s hard to wear that crown if you don’t show up when your team needs you most. Finch was blunt when asked whether a conversation was needed:

“What is there to talk about? You’re the leader of the team, and you’ve got to come out and set the tone. And if your shot’s not going, you still have to carry the energy.”

Edwards’ reply?

“Nah, felt like I played great defense. I just gotta do better on offense.”

There’s truth there. The defense was solid in spurts. But great defense isn’t complete when your team gives up a run every time you miss a few jumpers or point blank layups.. And on offense? The Wolves shot a frigid 5-of-29 from deep. It continues a troubling trend that started in the Lakers series: zero rhythm from three, and no real adjustment in sight.

Meanwhile, the Warriors—a team that should’ve been reeling after Steph went to the locker room—played like they’ve done this before. Because they have. Draymond played quarterback and defensive coordinator. Jimmy Butler created mismatches with confidence. Buddy Hield took the mantle from Curry, hitting a barrage of threes. And the Wolves stood around, waiting for someone to take charge.

“It didn’t look like us at all,” Finch said of the defense. “Some of the things we were doing, we didn’t discuss all week. They were making stuff up out there.”

That’s not Game 1 jitters. That’s Game 1 immaturity.

“It brings you back to the ABCs of basketball,” said veteran Mike Conley. “You’re not just going to pick a matchup and iso and get something out of it. You have to move it 2 and 3 times. You have to cut. You have to space correctly.”

Let’s be clear: this is not a “happy to be here” team anymore. Not when you boast a former DPOY and multiple All-Stars, who have been before. Not when you dominate stretches of playoff games like they did against Denver, Phoenix and the Lakers. Not when you put the world on notice after making a run to the Western Conference title last year. 

This is a team built to win now. Built to fight for banners. Built, if they want it, to be the top dog. So why do they still act like underdogs?

The Wolves have worn the chip-on-the-shoulder identity for years. It’s part of the lore—forgotten franchise, league punchline, too nice, too cursed. But the last five years have changed that. This team has teeth. But showing teeth only matters if you bite.

Game 1 wasn’t a bite. It was a bark, a hesitation, a head tilt wondering what to do next. The Warriors, short-handed and aging, seized the moment. The Wolves hesitated. That can’t happen again.

Game 2 is Thursday night. The series isn’t lost. But the clock is ticking on excuses.

Want to prove you belong on this stage? Then stop playing like you’re lucky to be here.