The Minnesota Timberwolves made the most of Stephen Curry’s injury absence to dismantle the Golden State Warriors 117-93 and square their Western Conference semi-final series at 1-1 on Thursday.
After a limp showing in game one, Minnesota came out with renewed intensity, storming to a 25-7 lead early in the first quarter and never looking back.
Julius Randle led the charge with 24 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds, while Anthony Edwards added 20 points despite briefly limping off with an ankle scare.
“We knew we had to bring it today,” Edwards said, crediting a revitalized defensive performance after Tuesday’s flat opener.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker delivered a spark off the bench with 20 points and four triples, part of a balanced Timberwolves effort that saw five players hit double digits.
The Warriors, missing their talisman Curry due to a hamstring injury, struggled to keep pace.
Jonathan Kuminga top-scored for Golden State with 18 points, but a third-quarter fightback that trimmed the gap to seven was swiftly shut down as Minnesota closed the period on a 20-5 run. Steve Kerr conceded defeat late, pulling his starters as the Timberwolves cruised to victory.
