May 8, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) dribbles the ball past Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) in the primary half during game two of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Goal Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images
MINNEAPOLIS — Julius Randle had 24 points and 11 assists to guide the Minnesota Timberwolves through one other uneven performance, this time capitalizing on Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s absence in a 117-93 victory on Thursday that tied the NBA second-round playoff series at one game apiece.
Anthony Edwards finished with 20 points after an injury scare for the Timberwolves, who greater than tripled their 3-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 no less than until next week.
READ: NBA: Stephen Curry knows patience required with hamstring injury
Jonathan Kuminga (18 points) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (15 points) combined to shoot 14 for 17 from the ground for the Warriors, who took nearly five minutes to attain until Jimmy Butler’s 3-pointer stopped the 13-0 run by the Timberwolves to start out the sport.
With the NBA’s profession leading 3-point shooter sitting next to him on the bench, coach Steve Kerr used the kitchen-sink strategy with 14 players getting time — including a baker’s dozen in the primary 14 minutes.
WOLVES EVEN SERIES BEHIND BALANCED ATTACK 🐺
Randle: 24 PTS | 11 AST | 7 REB
Ant: 20 PTS | 9 REB | 5 AST | 3 STL
NAW: 20 PTS | 4 3PM
McDaniels: 16 PTS | 3 STL | 3 BLK#NBAPlayoffs presented by Google pic.twitter.com/hf5nVjwQrJ— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025
Kuminga, the seventh overall pick within the 2021 draft who dropped out of the rotation at times throughout the regular season, was a shiny spot off the bench. But this Warriors team was already thin on offense with a healthy Curry.
Against the Timberwolves and their athletic, long and versatile defense, there wasn’t much to lean on. Without Curry to fret about, the Timberwolves had a better time keeping shooters Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski quiet and the graceful and savvy Butler in check.
The Warriors put up their lowest first-quarter rating (15) within the playoffs since Game 6 of the 2016 NBA Finals, based on Sportradar, after they had 11 in a loss to Cleveland.
Draymond Green picked up his fifth technical foul of the playoffs, two wanting an automatic one-game suspension, for elbowing Naz Reid after Reid had just fouled him.
Green was hot concerning the call, continuing to shout at official Tony Brothers throughout the timeout susceptible to getting a second one. Curry was concerned enough about his pal getting ejected that he went over to the scorer’s table to attempt to talk Green down and walk him back to the bench.
