Timberwolves Collapse in Stunning Loss to Bucks, Playoff Hopes Dwindle

MILWAUKEE, Wisconsin — The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a heartbreaking defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, losing a game they led by 24 points in the fourth quarter. The Timberwolves fell to the Bucks 96-95, marking a significant setback in their playoff pursuit.

Having entered the evening tied for fifth place in the Western Conference, Minnesota started strong but was outscored 39-8 down the stretch, ending their five-game winning streak. Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch remained optimistic postgame, stating, “I have every confidence that we’ll be able to bounce back. We’ve got good guys. They’ll shake it off.”

The game took a dramatic turn after Minnesota led 95-71 with about 10 minutes remaining. This collapse is one of the rare times in NBA history that a team rallied from such a large deficit to win, with this marking only the fifth occurrence since 1996-97. “We played great basketball for three quarters,” said Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards. “We have to acknowledge what happened, but you don’t let the world blow up just because of this.”

The defensive strategy employed by the Bucks proved pivotal. In the fourth quarter, Milwaukee switched to a zone defense, which effectively stunted the Timberwolves’ scoring ability. Minnesota struggled, shooting just 4-of-20 from the field and 2-of-12 from beyond the arc, alongside committing eight crucial turnovers. All-Star forward Julius Randle noted, “It was hard for every last one of us to get a look when they were in the zone. It messed us up.”

Despite the loss, Minnesota remains only one game out of fourth place in the standings, which could grant them home-court advantage in the playoffs. Their upcoming schedule includes a critical matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies, who recently lost a key player to injury. “The next game is the biggest game of the season,” Edwards emphasized, signaling the urgency of their situation.

On the other side, the Bucks celebrated a remarkable comeback sparked by Bobby Portis, who returned from a 25-game suspension. Portis contributed 18 points and 10 rebounds, playing a significant role in the team’s victory following substantial adversity this season, including the death of his grandmother. “My only goal is to get to June,” said Portis. “How can we get to June? We haven’t been there in so long.”

The support from his teammates was apparent, with guard Jrue Holiday stating, “We got our man back. Bobby, man, he gave us life.” Portis’ performance symbolized resilience and determination, and as he collected a pivotal rebound that led to game-clinching free throws, the Fiserv Forum crowd erupted with cheers for him.

As the Timberwolves refocus for their next game, they are faced with the pressing challenges characteristic of the late-season playoff push. Their ability to respond to this jarring defeat will be crucial as they navigate the remaining games with postseason ambitions.