The Golden State Warriors would like to forget Thursday night for sure. They had no answer for the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of their best-of-seven series. Minnesota dominated from start to finish, scoring 56 points in the first half and 61 in the second to cruise to a commanding 117–93 win. Not much went right for Golden State, and the loss evens the series at 1-1 as the teams head to San Francisco for a pivotal Game 3 on Saturday.
Many of the postgame criticisms were aimed at Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, particularly for his substitution patterns. Fans flooded social media with frustrations over the rotations he used throughout the game. "Kerr see the warriors up down 7 and say 'ok how do I stop this run'… '* subs in a new 5'" lamented a fan. "We cut it to 7 let's put in a lacrosse player and Moses airball moody," screamed another. "Absolutely disgusting... it's like we wanted to throw the game away," added a social media user. "I don’t understand why he did that lol lost all the momentum the warriors had," mentioned another frustrated fan.
Golden State was once again without star guard Steph Curry, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to remain out until at least Game 5. Despite the heat he’s taking, Kerr remains one of the most accomplished coaches in NBA history. He has won five NBA championships as a player and four more as a head coach with Golden State. While his Game 2 decisions are under fire, his postseason track record offers hope for Warriors fans heading into Game 3.
The Timberwolves capitalized on Curry's absence to secure a dominant victory, bouncing back from a Game 1 loss. Julius Randle led the charge with 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, while Anthony Edwards contributed 20 points and nine boards. Nickeil Alexander-Walker made a strong impact off the bench, scoring 20 points with four three-pointers. In total, five Timberwolves players scored in double figures.
Edwards credited Minnesota’s improved defense for the turnaround. “We watched film yesterday and realized it wasn’t just our missed shots—it was our defensive effort,” he said. “We knew we had to bring that intensity tonight.” With Curry sidelined due to his hamstring injury, Minnesota took full advantage, surging to a 25-7 lead in the first quarter that set the tone for the night.
A brief scare came when Edwards limped off in the second quarter with an ankle issue, but he returned after halftime with the Timberwolves already leading 56-39. Golden State mounted a third-quarter comeback, trimming the deficit to 62-55 behind strong efforts from Butler and Kuminga, who each scored eight points during the stretch. But Minnesota responded with a decisive 20-5 run to close the quarter, pushing their lead to 85-65. The Warriors were unable to mount a final push without Curry's deadly shooting from beyond the arc.
Head coach Steve Kerr pulled his starters with four minutes left as the Timberwolves cruised to the win. Game three of the best-of-seven series is set for Saturday in San Francisco. The stakes are high, and the pressure to secure at least one victory at home is palpable, especially if Curry is to make a return in the later stages of the series.
In the aftermath of the loss, frustration among fans directed towards Kerr has been evident. Many have expressed dissatisfaction with his coaching choices, particularly in how he managed player minutes during crucial moments of the game. Critics argue that Kerr’s decisions have not only undermined the team’s performance but also signaled a lack of confidence in the roster’s ability to compete at a high level without their leading scorer.
The sentiment among fans reflects a deeper anxiety about the team’s direction and the effectiveness of their leadership as they navigate the pressures of playoff basketball. The Warriors entered the playoffs as the seventh seed in the Western Conference, finishing the regular season with a respectable 48-34 record. Their journey to this point included a successful play-in tournament where they triumphed over the Memphis Grizzlies, followed by a solid performance against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
As the Warriors prepare for Games 3 and 4, the focus will undoubtedly be on Kerr’s ability to adapt and inspire confidence in his players. The path forward is fraught with challenges, yet it also presents an opportunity for emerging talents to step into the limelight. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 18 points off the bench, while Trayce Jackson-Davis added 15 points.
In the landscape of professional sports, the ability to adapt under pressure is often what separates the good from the great. For the Warriors, this moment represents not just a test of skill and strategy, but also a chance to reaffirm their identity as a championship-caliber team. As the playoffs continue, all eyes will be on how they respond to adversity and whether they can transform frustration into fuel for success.
