Timberwolves beat Curry-less Warriors 117-93 in Game 2 to even series

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves had been stewing over their tough begin in Recreation 1 in opposition to Golden State, a response coach Chris Finch was happy to see.

Julius Randle had 24 factors and 11 assists to assist the Timberwolves capitalize on Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absence in a 117-93 victory Thursday that tied the second-round collection at a recreation apiece.

The muse was laid in an ornery movie session with Finch and his workers the day earlier than.

“He was unhappy, and he let us know he was unhappy, and we felt that,” Randle mentioned. “We were pretty motivated as a team.”

Anthony Edwards completed with 20 factors after an damage scare for the Wolves, who greater than tripled their 3-point output (going 16 for 37) from their Recreation 1 loss when Curry was sidelined by a left hamstring pressure that seemingly will maintain him out at the least till subsequent week.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 20 factors to spearhead an outstanding efficiency by the bench, combining with Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid to go 10 for 22 from deep.

“We looked a lot more like ourselves,” Finch mentioned.

Jonathan Kuminga (18 factors) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (15) mixed to shoot 14 for 17 from the ground for the Warriors. They took practically 5 minutes to attain, lastly breaking by down 13-0 on Jimmy Butler’s 3-pointer.

With the NBA’s profession main 3-point shooter subsequent to him on the bench, coach Steve Kerr used a kitchen-sink experiment with 14 gamers getting time.

“But I would still like to win,” Butler mentioned. “I think the biggest lesson is don’t start off in a hole like we did tonight, and the game maybe could have ended up a little bit differently.”

Kuminga, the seventh total decide within the 2021 draft who dropped out of the rotation at occasions through the common season and missed vital time with a sprained proper ankle, was a vibrant spot off the bench. However this Warriors staff was already skinny on offense with a wholesome Curry.

“We have to figure out what we’re going to be able to do in this series without Steph,” Kerr mentioned. “So we gave a lot of people a lot of chances, and some guys really stepped up.”

Towards the Wolves and their athletic, lengthy and versatile protection, there wasn’t a lot to lean on. With out Curry to fret about, the Wolves had a better time holding shooters Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski quiet.

The Warriors put up their lowest first-quarter rating (15) within the playoffs since Recreation 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, based on Sportradar, after they had 11 in a loss to Cleveland.

Draymond Inexperienced picked up his fifth technical foul of the playoffs, two in need of an automated one-game suspension, for elbowing Naz Reid after Reid had simply fouled him.

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