Timberwolves Rediscover Their Shot and Stun the Warriors
If you turned on Game 2 expecting another Golden State show, you were in for a shock. The Timberwolves erased the memory of their Game 1 flop and ran circles around the Warriors, winning 117-93 and knotting this series at 1-1. The big difference? The Timberwolves couldn’t miss from deep, and Golden State looked downright lost without Stephen Curry.
Minnesota made the most of Curry’s absence, who was out nursing a tricky hamstring. Ball movement was smooth, spacing was sharp, and they got contributions up and down the lineup. Julius Randle set the tone early. He bulldozed his way to 24 points and kept the ball moving with 11 assists—his best playoff performance in years. Nickeil Alexander-Walker stepped in off the bench and immediately made the Warriors pay, splashing in 20 points with energy only a packed home crowd could spark.
There was no lingering trauma from their poor three-point shooting in the opener. This time, they hit 16 of 37 from deep. Everyone got a taste: Anthony Edwards drilled 20 points of his own, and big man Naz Reid continued to surprise from distance. Combined, Alexander-Walker, Reid, and Donte DiVincenzo accounted for 10 threes—something the Warriors usually hang their hat on.
Warriors’ Offense Falters and Bench Gets Outplayed
It wasn’t just the Timberwolves catching fire. Golden State, without the reliable anchor that is Curry, couldn’t keep up. Jonathan Kuminga led the offense with 18 points, but the Warriors rarely looked comfortable. Draymond Green tried sparking some energy, but shots just weren’t falling. The Warriors only managed a measly 30 bench points compared to Minnesota’s 52. That’s a huge swing—enough to change the course of an entire playoff series.
The Timberwolves’ defense deserves credit, too. Jaden McDaniels made life miserable for whoever tried to score inside, disrupting passing lanes and hustling for every 50-50 ball. Minnesota coach Chris Finch mixed up his schemes, doubling at times, going small at others, and generally making Golden State’s shooters second-guess every read.
Now, the big question is all about Curry. His status for Game 3 is still up in the air, and that shadow hangs heavy over the Warriors. Head coach Steve Kerr said postgame, “We’ll see how he looks, but we’re not going to risk anything long-term.” That doesn’t exactly reassure Warriors fans—or bettors—boys in blue badly need their superstar back if they want to regain control of this dead-even series.
Looking at the numbers, Minnesota’s energy and crisp execution flipped everything from Game 1. If the Warriors can’t find a way to get more from their bench and clean up the defensive rebounding, they’re in for a battle. And if Curry can’t go, the pressure on Kuminga, Green, and Klay Thompson only cranks up. Game 3 in San Francisco suddenly looks like a must-win, not just for pride, but for survival.
