MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves were determined to address their shaky start in Game 1 against the Golden State Warriors. Coach Chris Finch noted their reaction with approval after a tough film review session laid the groundwork for improvement.
Julius Randle contributed significantly with 24 points and 11 assists, as the Timberwolves made the most of Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absence, triumphing 117-93 to even the second-round playoff series. Finch’s critique appeared to motivate the team, as Randle revealed, “He was unhappy, and he let us know… We were pretty motivated as a team.”
Anthony Edwards finished strong with 20 points despite an injury concern early on. He, along with his teammates, notably boosted their 3-point shooting, collectively hitting 16 of 37 attempts. The improvement came in Curry’s absence due to a left hamstring strain, which is expected to keep him sidelined at least through the next week.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker also scored 20 points, leading a commendable effort by the Timberwolves’ bench. Alongside Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid, they skillfully went 10 for 22 from beyond the arc. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Finch said, “We looked a lot more like ourselves.”
For the Warriors, Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis emerged as standout players, jointly shooting an impressive 14 for 17. Despite their efforts, the Warriors struggled to score initially, only managing their first points after nearly five minutes with a basket from Jimmy Butler.
With the absence of the all-time 3-point leader, Curry, head coach Steve Kerr explored various lineups, giving playing opportunities to 14 players in an experimental approach. Kerr expressed a desire to win but emphasized the importance of not falling behind early, which they experienced as a critical lesson learned.
Kuminga, despite previous struggles for consistent playtime and coping with an ankle injury, shone off the bench. However, given the team’s reliance on Curry even when healthy, the Warriors faced challenges on offense. Kerr stated, “We have to figure out what we’re going to be able to do in this series without Steph,” acknowledging the need for players to step up.
Against the Timberwolves’ dynamic defense, the Warriors lacked their usual offensive rhythm. The absence of Curry allowed Minnesota to contain other potential scoring threats effectively.
The Warriors’ first-quarter score of 15 points marked their lowest in a playoff game since their loss in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals. Additionally, Draymond Green got his fifth technical foul of the playoffs, nearing a potential automatic suspension, after elbowing Naz Reid.