The Golden State Warriors secured a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The game, played at the Target Center in Minneapolis, saw the Warriors come out on top despite missing star point guard Stephen Curry, who exited the game in the second quarter with a strained hamstring.
Curry’s absence was significant, but Jimmy Butler stepped up to lead the Warriors with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists. Buddy Hield also played a crucial role, scoring 24 points with 5 three-pointers, while Draymond Green added 18 points, including 4 three-pointers. The Warriors’ strong defense and timely shooting allowed them to build a substantial lead, peaking at 23 points.
The Timberwolves struggled to find their rhythm, particularly in the first half. Anthony Edwards, their star player, had a tough start, scoring only one point in the first half and finishing with 23 points on 9-of-22 shooting. Julius Randle contributed 18 points, and Naz Reid added 19 off the bench, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors’ strong team effort.
The Timberwolves’ slow start was largely due to the Warriors’ strong defense, which shook their offense. Coach Chris Finch acknowledged that Edwards’ struggles set the tone for the team, saying, “It starts with Anthony. He struggled early, and the light went out.” Edwards himself took responsibility, stating, “They can blame me. I just didn’t play good enough.”
With Curry’s injury status uncertain, the Warriors will need to maintain their strong team play to take advantage of their 1-0 lead in the series. Game 2 is scheduled for Thursday, May 8, at 8:30 p.m. ET on TNT and Max.
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