Rivals Triumph Over Timberwolves
Golden State Warriors stumbled against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals, happening on May 11 (PH time), even without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green dealing with foul trouble.
Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle powered the momentum, outscoring the Warriors 15 points in the fourth quarter to clinch the 102-97 win and establish a 2-1 series lead.
Edwards nailed a clutch three-pointer with 1 minute and 19 seconds remaining in the game, finishing with a game-high 36 points. Randle echoed this dominant display with 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler led the Warriors with 33 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds, while Jonathan Kuminga stepped up off the bench with 30 points.
The absence of Curry took a substantial toll on the team. "With Steph out there, he demands two to three defenders," Butler admitted. "Without him, there's no room for error, you can't make mistakes, and you can't give up easy baskets. You have to take the right shots."
The Warriors struggled to match Curry's absence and Kuminga's strong performance from the bench. Kuminga converted 11 out of 18 field goals as the team tweaked their lineup to compensate for Curry's absence.
Game 4 takes place on Tuesday (PH time) at the Chase Center.
Despite the squad's defense-centric approach, Warriors coach Steve Kerr couldn't squeeze a victory out against the Timberwolves in the crucial moments.
Edwards showed no signs of stress or discomfort from his sprained left ankle, sustained in Game 2.
Minnesota coach Chris Finch believes that to overcome the formidable Warriors, they'll need a collective effort, especially from efficient forwards like Randle. "We need everything. We needed Julius' hustle plays," Finch emphasized. "From time to time, he does a great job of just chasing down rebounds and making those hustle plays."
Buddy Hield's three-pointer, made at the 1 minute and 56 seconds, threatened the Warriors' comeback, but McDaniels' turnover sealed their fate shortly after.
Green fouled out with 4 minutes and 38 seconds left in the game, due to his ninth personal foul. His questionable block on McDaniel's shot, challenged by replay, was a sour send-off as he stomped off the bench, threw his warmup jacket, and pounded his fists in frustration.
Sulayan might find it challenging for the Warriors to reverse their fortunes in Game 4, given their struggles in the previous game against the Timberwolves. The absence of both Stephen Curry and Draymond Green significantly impacted their performance, allowing Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle to capitalize, particularly in the fourth quarter. Edwards' clutch three-pointer and Randle's efficient playmaking were key factors in Minnesota's 102-97 victory, establishing a 2-1 series lead. The Warriors will need to address these issues and produce better performances to compete in the NBA Western Conference semifinals.
