• Timberwolves lead playoff series 2-1 after beating the Warriors 102-97 with big performances from Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle.
• Golden State struggled without Stephen Curry and failed to finish strong despite standout games from Kuminga and Butler.
• Minnesota hit clutch shots late, while the Warriors missed key 3-pointers and lost Draymond Green to foul trouble.

The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 102-97 on Saturday night. The win gave Minnesota a 2-1 lead in their second-round playoff series. Anthony Edwards played like a star. He scored 36 points and hit big shots in the fourth quarter. His baseline 3-pointer with 1:19 left helped seal the game. Julius Randle also made a big impact. He finished with 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. The Warriors played without Stephen Curry again and couldn’t find the same rhythm.

Edwards and Randle Dominate the Fourth Quarter

Edwards didn’t show any signs of pain after hurting his ankle in Game 2. He stayed aggressive the whole game. He hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 6:16 left. That shot gave the Timberwolves confidence. Randle started slow. He missed his first four 3-point shots and made just one of his first six attempts. But he came alive late in the second quarter. He made a 3-pointer with 6:30 left in the half. That pushed Minnesota’s lead to 39-29. The Warriors called timeout to stop the run. Randle finished strong and helped control the pace.

Warriors Miss Curry’s Leadership and Energy

Stephen Curry didn’t play again. He’s still recovering from a strained left hamstring. He got hurt early in Game 1. The Warriors have not looked the same without him. They’ve tried different lineups to make up for his absence. Jonathan Kuminga led the team with 30 points off the bench. He shot 11-for-18 from the field. Jimmy Butler also helped with 33 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds. Still, the Warriors lacked flow on offense. Without Curry’s direction, they struggled to finish plays.

Timberwolves Stay Hot in Closing Minutes

The game stayed close in the final minutes. Buddy Hield made a 3-pointer with 1:56 left. That cut Minnesota’s lead to 93-89. The Timberwolves looked shaky when Jaden McDaniels threw the ball away. But Golden State couldn’t take advantage. McDaniels made up for it. He knocked down a clutch 3-pointer with 3:20 left. That helped the Timberwolves keep control. Edwards also made another big shot down the stretch. Those key baskets helped Minnesota close out the win on the road.

Warriors Cold From Deep and Struggle to Finish

Golden State couldn’t shoot well from deep. They missed all five 3-point tries in the first half. Even so, they led 42-40 at the break. Hield found his shot in the second half. He scored 14 of his 17 points after halftime. But the Warriors made too many mistakes. They couldn’t string together enough stops. Coach Steve Kerr said defense had to win them the game. But his team didn’t deliver when it mattered most.

Draymond Green Fouls Out Late in the Game

Draymond Green picked up his sixth foul with 4:38 left in the game. He tried to block a shot by McDaniels. Officials called a foul. Replay angles showed it might have been clean. Green looked frustrated. He ran to the bench and put on his warmup jacket. But he didn’t lose his cool. Just two days before, a fan was ejected for allegedly yelling racist remarks at Green. The Timberwolves are still investigating. Coach Kerr thanked Minnesota for handling the situation with respect.

Jackson-Davis Gets Start but Plays Limited Minutes

Trayce Jackson-Davis started for Golden State in Game 3. He played well in Game 2 with 15 points and six rebounds. He made all six of his shots that night. But in Game 3, he played only 11 minutes. The Warriors kept changing lineups to find a winning mix. Still, they missed Curry’s presence on both ends of the court. The offense lacked flow. The defense gave up too many second-chance points.

Game 4 Will Be a Must-Win for the Warriors

The next game is set for Monday night at Chase Center. The Warriors need a win to even the series at 2-2. If they lose again, the Timberwolves will take a commanding 3-1 lead. Golden State hopes Curry can return soon. Without him, the team looks out of sync. Minnesota, meanwhile, has the momentum. Edwards and Randle are playing at a high level. The Timberwolves will try to stay hot and take control of the series.