The Minnesota Timberwolves reached their first Western Conference finals in 20 years last season, then made one of the most controversial moves in franchise history by trading Karl-Anthony Towns. And now they're right back in the conference finals.

Minnesota is headed back to the Western Conference Finals for the second straight season, eliminating the Golden State Warriors 121-110 in Game 5. The Warriors played the final four games of the series without Steph Curry,

On ESPN's "NBA Countdown" for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Denver Nuggets' Game 6 matchup, Stephen A. Smith was not concerned with who may come out of that series to face the Timberwolves in the conference finals. "I believe the Minnesota Timberwolves should be the favorite to win the championship at this point," Smith said on May 15.