NBA: Timberwolves tie playoff sequence vs Steph Curry-less Warriors

MINNEAPOLIS  —The Minnesota Timberwolves have been stewing over their tough get started in Game 1 in opposition to Golden State, a response trainer Chris Finch used to be happy to peer.

Julius Randle had 24 issues and 11 assists to guide the Minnesota Timberwolves thru some other asymmetric efficiency, this time capitalizing on Golden State Warriors big name Stephen Curry’s absence in a 117-93 victory on Thursday that tied the NBA second-round playoff sequence at one recreation apiece.

READ: NBA: Stephen Curry is aware of endurance required with hamstring damage

The basis used to be laid in an ornery movie consultation with Finch and his team of workers the day prior to.

“He was unhappy, and he let us know he was unhappy, and we felt that,” Randle stated. “We were pretty motivated as a team.”

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) drives to the basket round Golden State Warriors defenders throughout the primary part of Game 2 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff sequence Thursday, May 8, 2025, in Minneapolis. (Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle by means of AP)

Anthony Edwards completed with 20 issues after an damage scare for the Timberwolves, who greater than tripled their 3-point output (going 16 for 37) from their Game 1 loss when Curry used to be sidelined through a left hamstring pressure that most probably will stay him out no less than till subsequent week.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 issues to spearhead a very good efficiency through the bench, combining with Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid to head 10 for 22 from deep.

“We looked a lot more like ourselves,” Finch stated.

WOLVES EVEN SERIES BEHIND BALANCED ATTACK 🐺

Randle: 24 PTS | 11 AST | 7 REB
Ant: 20 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL
NAW: 20 PTS | 4 3PM
McDaniels: 16 PTS | 3 STL | 3 BLK#NBAPlayoffs introduced through Google pic.twitter.com/hf5nVjwQrJ

— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025

Jonathan Kuminga (18 issues) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (15 issues) mixed to shoot 14 for 17 from the ground for the Warriors, who took just about 5 mins to attain till Jimmy Butler’s 3-pointer stopped the 13-0 run through the Timberwolves to begin the sport.

With the NBA’s profession main 3-point shooter subsequent to him at the bench, trainer Steve Kerr used a kitchen-sink experiment with 14 avid gamers getting time.

“But I would still like to win,” Butler stated. “I think the biggest lesson is don’t start off in a hole like we did tonight, and the game maybe could have ended up a little bit differently.”

Kuminga, the 7th total pick out within the 2021 draft who dropped out of the rotation every now and then throughout the common season, used to be a vibrant spot off the bench. But this Warriors workforce used to be already skinny on offense with a wholesome Curry.

“We have to figure out what we’re going to be able to do in this series without Steph,” Kerr stated. “So we gave a lot of people a lot of chances, and some guys really stepped up.”

Against the Timberwolves and their athletic, lengthy and flexible protection, there wasn’t a lot to lean on. Without Curry to fret about, the Timberwolves had an more straightforward time conserving shooters Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski quiet and the graceful and savvy Butler in test.

The Warriors post their lowest first-quarter ranking (15) within the playoffs since Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, in line with Sportradar, after they had 11 in a loss to Cleveland.

Draymond Green picked up his 5th technical foul of the playoffs, two in need of an automated one-game suspension, for elbowing Naz Reid after Reid had simply fouled him.

Green used to be sizzling in regards to the name, proceeding to shout at professional Tony Brothers throughout the timeout vulnerable to getting a moment one. Curry used to be involved sufficient about his friend getting ejected that he went over to the scorer’s desk to take a look at to speak Green down and stroll him again to the bench.