Mike Conley Jr. Confident Timberwolves Will Adjust Against Warriors in NBA Playoffs

Mike Conley Jr. Brings Quiet Confidence Ahead of Game 2

There’s no panic in the Timberwolves locker room. After falling short in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors, point guard Mike Conley Jr. spoke openly about the team’s mindset heading into Game 2. His main message? Stay cool, keep it simple, and trust the process that got them out of the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Conley’s optimism isn’t just talk. He pointed to plenty of reasons the Timberwolves can turn things around. The team matched up well against the Warriors during the regular season and flashed their defensive grit in their first-round win over the Lakers. Now, it’s about tweaking the offense to find better looks — a task he feels totally possible considering the adjustments already brewing behind the scenes.

“We can’t let the Warriors dictate pace or get us rattled,” Conley said before Game 2. Instead of overcomplicating things, he emphasized the value of using crisp ball movement, finding open shots, and making sure each possession counts. Conley, who’s seen plenty of playoff battles during his career, doesn’t get fazed easily. “When we keep our focus and stick together, we play our best basketball,” he insisted.

Game Plan Shifts: Coach Finch and the Home-Court Factor

Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch was right there with Conley, doubling down on the need for quick adjustments. He and his staff spent hours pouring over Game 1 film, pinpointing spots where the offense stalled or defensive breakdowns left shooters open. At practice, players drilled new sets designed to pry apart the Warriors’ tough defense — which remains one of the most disciplined and opportunistic in the league.

The Target Center crowd gave the Wolves life in the first round, and the team hopes that energy will keep flowing through Games 1 and 2. With Minneapolis buzzing and the team’s playoff experience deepening after a gritty series against the Lakers, Minnesota is out to prove they belong on this stage. Home-court edge matters a lot, especially early in the series.

The Warriors, riding high after a Game 7 thriller against Houston, aren’t backing down — but even they admit Minnesota’s physical style and athletic defenders present new puzzles. Both squads are tested, and both are well-coached. The first round saw the Timberwolves closing out games with sharp focus, and that resilience has fueled their belief moving forward.

Looking at the rest of the series, everything’s up for grabs. Games 3 and 4 will shift to Golden State, and if the matchups remain tight, the drama of potential Games 5, 6, and 7 could set up a classic postseason showdown. For now, the spotlight is on Conley and his crew, determined to show their Game 1 stumbles are just the beginning of a story, not the end. If confidence counts for anything — and in these moments, it usually does — the Timberwolves are far from finished.