The Minnesota Timberwolves capitalized on the absence of Stephen Curry to deliver a commanding 117-93 win over the Golden State Warriors, evening their NBA Western Conference semi-final series at 1-1 on Thursday night in Minneapolis.
Minnesota, looking to bounce back after a disappointing Game 1 loss, took control from the opening tip and never looked back. With Curry sidelined due to a hamstring injury sustained in the series opener, the Warriors lacked their usual offensive punch, while the Timberwolves delivered a complete team performance.
Julius Randle spearheaded Minnesota’s effort with 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. Anthony Edwards added 20 points and nine rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed a crucial 20 points off the bench, including four three-pointers. In total, five Timberwolves players scored in double figures, showcasing the team’s depth and balance.
Golden State’s offense struggled to find rhythm without Curry. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 18 points off the bench, and Jimmy Butler added 17, but the team fell behind early and was never able to recover.
Edwards emphasized that the turnaround stemmed from a stronger defensive mindset after the team’s lackluster Game 1 performance.
“We watched film yesterday and saw that it wasn’t just about missed shots — it was our lack of defensive intensity,” Edwards said. “We knew we had to step it up today.”
Minnesota opened the game with a blistering 25-7 run in the first quarter, immediately putting the Warriors on the back foot. Although Edwards gave fans a scare after briefly limping off with an ankle issue in the second quarter, he returned after halftime, and the Timberwolves maintained their dominance.
Golden State mounted a brief rally in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to 62-55 thanks to an eight-point burst each from Butler and Kuminga. But Minnesota quickly responded with a 20-5 run to close the quarter, entering the final frame with a comfortable 85-65 advantage.
With Curry unavailable, the Warriors lacked their signature perimeter threat, and head coach Steve Kerr opted to pull his starters with four minutes left as Minnesota cruised to victory.
Kerr acknowledged the team is still adjusting to playing without their 11-time All-Star and suggested Game 2 provided valuable insight.
“We’re still figuring things out without Steph,” Kerr said. “We tried different combinations, made a good run to close the gap, but lost our composure with turnovers and defensive lapses. This game will help us understand how to move forward.”
Curry has been ruled out for at least a week, and the series now shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday.