On Thursday evening, the Minnesota Timberwolves delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Golden State Warriors 117-93 in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals. This victory not only evened the series at one game apiece but also showcased the Timberwolves' depth and resilience, particularly in the absence of Warriors star Stephen Curry.
The Timberwolves opened the game with an explosive 13-0 run, leaving the Warriors scrambling for answers. Coach Steve Kerr's strategy involved a deep rotation, as he utilized 14 players during the contest, including an impressive 13 players in the first 14 minutes. However, without Curry, who is sidelined for at least a week due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, the Warriors struggled to find their offensive rhythm.
Julius Randle was the standout performer for Minnesota, contributing a game-high 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds. His stellar shooting—10 of 17 from the field and 1 of 4 from beyond the arc—helped propel the Timberwolves to a wire-to-wire victory. Randle's performance marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Timberwolves player to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in a playoff game since Kevin Garnett accomplished the feat in 2004.
In addition to Randle, Anthony Edwards chipped in with 20 points and nine rebounds, despite briefly exiting the game with a left ankle sprain. Edwards returned after halftime, demonstrating his toughness and determination to help his team secure the win. The duo of Randle and Edwards made history as they became the third pair of Timberwolves players to each score 20 points and record 5 rebounds and 5 assists in the same playoff game.
On the other side, the Warriors faced a daunting challenge without their leader. They recorded their lowest first-quarter score in playoff history, putting up just 15 points—an unsettling statistic that harkened back to Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals when they scored only 11 points against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The absence of Curry was palpable, as the Timberwolves' defense focused on containing other key players like Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski.
Draymond Green, known for his fiery demeanor, picked up his fifth technical foul of the playoffs during the game, which puts him just two away from an automatic one-game suspension. His frustration boiled over after an elbow incident with Naz Reid, leading to a heated exchange with referee Tony Brothers during a timeout. Curry, concerned for his teammate, even approached the scorer's table in an attempt to calm Green down.
Despite the Warriors' struggles, Jonathan Kuminga emerged as a bright spot off the bench, scoring 18 points. His energy and effort were commendable, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome of the game. Jimmy Butler III also contributed with 17 points and seven rebounds, providing solid support for the Timberwolves.
As the series now heads to San Francisco for Game 3, scheduled for Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET, the Warriors will need to regroup and find a way to compensate for Curry's absence. Kerr's rotation strategy may need to adapt further, as the team looks to regain its footing in the series.
The Timberwolves, riding high on their recent success, will aim to capitalize on their momentum. Randle's performance has garnered attention across social media, with fans and analysts alike praising his ability to rise to the occasion. Notably, one tweet highlighted Randle's postseason averages of 22.1 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.6 assists, alongside an impressive true shooting percentage of 61.3%.
As the playoffs continue to unfold, the Timberwolves' ability to maintain their composure and execute their game plan will be crucial. With Randle and Edwards leading the charge, Minnesota is poised to make a significant impact in this postseason.
Game 3 promises to be an exciting matchup, as both teams look to assert themselves in the series. The Warriors will be eager to bounce back and regain their home-court advantage, while the Timberwolves will seek to build on their recent victory and take a commanding lead in the series.
