After an embarrassing Game 1, the Timberwolves delivered a commanding performance, securing a decisive 117-93 victory over the Warriors. It was the opposite of Game 1, where the Wolves started out strong and ended the first quarter with a 14-point lead.
Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards went down with an ankle injury scare in the second quarter. However, much to the relief of Minnesota fans, Edwards returned after halftime and showed no signs of discomfort, finishing the game with a solid 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The hang-time.
The finish.Artistry from Anthony Edwards 🎨
Timberwolves even the series. pic.twitter.com/EDkvAsxBrv
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025
This sequence from Jaden McDaniels 😮💨
Contests the shot on one end, fastbreak slam on the other!
MIN leading in G2, looking to even the series on TNT 🍿 pic.twitter.com/vo1pPxOFBo
— NBA (@NBA) May 9, 2025
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with an impressive 24 points and 11 assists, and grabbed 7 rebounds. The Timberwolves displayed a balanced offensive effort and a stifling defense that limited the Warriors.
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
Without Curry, the Warriors were searching for a way to generate points. Seldom-used Jonathan Kuminga led Golden State with 18 points off the bench. Jimmy Butler was a non-factor in the game even with his 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. The Warriors also used all 14 available players in the first half, a sign that Warriors Head Coach Steve Kerr was looking for ways to offset the absence of their leading scorer.
Adding to the drama, Draymond Green received his fifth technical foul of the playoffs, putting him in danger of a suspension if he gets two more. Despite a brief moment in the third quarter when the Warriors cut the lead to seven, the Timberwolves responded by going on an 11-0 run to regain control and put the game away for good.
With the series now tied 1-1, the series will head to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday. The Timberwolves will try to regain their home-court advantage, while the Warriors will need to find solutions to compensate for Curry’s absence as the series continues.