Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Golden State Warriors 117-93 in Game 2 of their Western Conference NBA Playoff semifinals on Thursday night in Minneapolis, powered by Julius Randle, who finished with 24 points and 11 assists.
The best-of-seven series was tied at one after Anthony Edwards scored 20 points and pulled down nine rebounds for Minnesota. Nickeil Alexander-Walker finished with 16 points on 7 of 10 shots, and Jaden McDaniels scored 20 points off the bench.
Leading the Warriors with 18 points on 8 of 11 shooting was Jonathan Kuminga. Jimmy Butler III scored seven rebounds and scored 17 points.
Stephen Curry, a guard with the Warriors, sat on the bench and watched the game in street clothes. Curry, who hurt his left hamstring in Game 1 and is likely to miss at least a week, missed Golden State’s opening postseason game.
In Game 2, the Timberwolves overcame Edwards’ injury scare. After hurting his left ankle in the second quarter, their top scorer from the regular season hobbled gingerly off the court but came back to open the second half.
Golden State began the third quarter with a 16–6 run, bringing them within 62–55. Brandin Podziemski’s pass to Buddy Hield’s 3-pointer punctuated the run.
Later in the third quarter, Minnesota reclaimed the lead with a run of 18–5. With 27.1 seconds remaining in the quarter, Alexander-Walker made a 3-pointer from the left wing to give the Timberwolves the lead, 83-63.
With the score out of reach, the Timberwolves’ regulars watched the last few minutes from the bench. In the last two minutes, substitutes Leonard Miller, Josh Minott, and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored goals.
At the half, the Timberwolves had a 56-39 lead.
Minnesota led 25-7 at the beginning of the game. With 2:36 left in the first quarter, Edwards made a 3-pointer and Alexander-Walker made a two-pointer to put the Timberwolves ahead 18 points.
Kerr gave ten players more than nine minutes of action.
