Timberwolves Dominate Warriors 117-93 Without Curry in Game 2/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Minnesota Timberwolves crushed the Golden State Warriors 117-93 in Game 2, taking full advantage of Stephen Curry’s absence to even their second-round playoff series. Julius Randle led with 24 points and 11 assists, while the Timberwolves bench delivered a strong performance. The Warriors’ offense struggled, posting a historic low first-quarter score.
Timberwolves Even Series With Warriors Quick Looks
- Julius Randle led Minnesota with 24 points, 11 assists.
- Anthony Edwards added 20 points after a minor injury scare.
- Minnesota hit 16 threes, tripling their Game 1 total.
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid powered bench scoring.
- Warriors struggled offensively without Stephen Curry (hamstring injury).
- Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis combined for 33 points.
- Golden State scored just 15 in the first quarter — their lowest since 2016.
- Coach Steve Kerr used 14 players in rotation experiments.
- Draymond Green received his 5th technical foul of the playoffs.
- Game 3 shifts to San Francisco with Curry’s return uncertain.
Timberwolves Dominate Warriors 117-93 Without Curry in Game 2
Deep Look
Timberwolves Rout Curry-Less Warriors 117-93 to Even Second-Round Playoff Series
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves stormed back from a sluggish Game 1 to throttle the shorthanded Golden State Warriors 117-93 on Thursday night, tying their Western Conference second-round series 1-1. Sparked by a fiery film session and the absence of Stephen Curry, the Timberwolves seized control early and never looked back.
Julius Randle was the engine of Minnesota’s dominance, scoring 24 points and dishing out 11 assists. His leadership extended beyond the stat sheet, helping refocus a team still stinging from a narrow opening loss.
“He was unhappy, and he let us know,” Randle said of head coach Chris Finch’s message following Game 1. “We were pretty motivated as a team.”
That motivation translated into an all-around effort that overwhelmed a Warriors squad missing its top scorer and floor general.
Curry Out, Wolves Lock In
Golden State’s Stephen Curry missed the game with a strained left hamstring, and the void left by the league’s all-time leading 3-point shooter was evident from the start. The Warriors opened the night with nearly five scoreless minutes, trailing 13-0 before Jimmy Butler ended the drought with a three-pointer.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves came out sharp and aggressive, anchored by Anthony Edwards’ 20 points and the combined firepower of their bench unit. Nickeil Alexander-Walker also scored 20 and was joined by Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid in a 10-for-22 showing from beyond the arc.
“We looked a lot more like ourselves tonight,” Finch said, crediting his team’s energy, improved shooting, and defensive pressure.
Warriors’ Offensive Woes Deepen
Golden State struggled mightily without Curry’s leadership and shot creation. Their 15-point first quarter was the lowest by the franchise in a playoff game since scoring 11 in Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, according to Sportradar.
Coach Steve Kerr rotated 14 players in an attempt to find a spark. “We have to figure out what we can do in this series without Steph,” Kerr admitted. “Some guys stepped up, but we still have a lot to figure out.”
Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis offered rare bright spots for the Warriors, combining for 33 points on 14-for-17 shooting. Kuminga, who had a rocky regular season marked by injuries and inconsistency, appeared reenergized in his role off the bench.
Still, with key shooters like Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski effectively neutralized by Minnesota’s long, athletic defense, the Warriors simply couldn’t keep pace.
Randle’s All-Around Night, Bench Shines
Randle’s control of the offense was key, but the Timberwolves’ win was about much more than one player. The bench contributed 49 points, and the team buried 16 threes—over three times their total from Game 1.
Edwards’ bounce-back performance also quelled concerns after he limped off briefly in the second quarter. “I’m good,” he said postgame. “We just needed this one.”
Draymond Drama and Defensive Dominance
Draymond Green added another technical foul to his postseason tally—his fifth—after elbowing Naz Reid in a heated moment. He’s now just two away from a suspension.
The Timberwolves’ defense swarmed early and often, holding Golden State to under 40% shooting and capitalizing on the absence of Curry to collapse on the Warriors’ other scorers.
What’s Next?
Game 3 shifts to San Francisco on Saturday, where Golden State hopes to rebound — potentially without Curry again. Minnesota, on the other hand, seems to have found its rhythm and momentum heading into enemy territory.
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