T’wolves tie playoff series with Curry-less Warriors

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T’wolves tie playoff series with Curry-less Warriors

Julius Randle has compiled 24 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists to lead Minnesota through another uneven performance, this time capitalising on Golden State star Stephen Curry’s absence in a 117-93 victory that tied their Western Conference second-round playoff series at one game apiece.

Anthony Edwards finished with 20 points, nine boards and five assists for the Timberwolves, who more than tripled their three-point output (going 16 for 37) from their Game 1 loss when Curry was sidelined by a left hamstring strain that likely will keep him out at least until next week.

Jonathan Kuminga (18 points) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (15 points) combined to shoot 14 for 17 from the floor for the Warriors, who took nearly five minutes to score until Jimmy Butler’s three stopped the 13-0 run by the hosts to start the game.

“We watched film yesterday,” Edwards said.

“We saw that it wasn’t just that we didn’t make shots (in Game 1), it was more so our defensive pressure and intensity. We didn’t bring it. So, we knew we had to bring it today.”

With the NBA’s career leading three-point shooter sitting next to him on the bench, coach Steve Kerr used the kitchen-sink strategy with 14 players getting time.

Kuminga, the seventh overall pick in the 2021 draft who dropped out of the rotation at times during the regular season, was a bright spot off the bench. But this Warriors team was already thin on offence with a healthy Curry.

Without Curry to worry about, Minnesota had an easier time keeping shooters Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski quiet and the smooth and savvy Butler in check.

Golden State put up their lowest first-quarter score (15) in the playoffs since a Game 6 loss to Cleveland in the 2016 NBA Finals, according to Sportradar.

The Timberwolves overcame an injury scare to Edwards in Game 2. Their leading scorer during the regular season limped slowly off the court after injuring his left ankle in the second quarter, but he returned to start the second half.

Minnesota led 56-39 at the half and an 18-5 run in the third quarter put it out of reach.

“We made a really spirited run, got it to seven, and then we just kind of lost a little bit of composure,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“We turned it over right out of that timeout … and gave up a couple threes where we lost connection defensively. But we learned a lot, and I think this game will help us figure out how to move forward.”

With Reuters.

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