Jonathan Kuminga came to play, but an otherwise apathetic Warriors effort let the Wolves coast to a Game 2 win.
As expected the Golden State Warriors looked like a shell of themselves in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals without Steph Curry, losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves 117-93. The Dubs had opportunities to take a commanding early-series lead, but now both squads with held to the Bay Area with the series tied 1-1.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr experimented with rookie center Quinten Post in the starting lineup in place of Curry, opting for size and spacing. However, Post was played off the floor in three minutes. The Dubs offense was smothered while the Wolves capitalized on an array of open looks to jump out to a 13-0 lead.
While Jimmy Butler scored the Warriors first points on a three, there would be no return of “Playoff Jimmy” in Game 2. Instead, Butler remained hesitant to prioritize his own shot against the Wolves length and athleticism. He finished with a perfectly fine, but unexceptional 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.
It sure seems like Butler is still limited by his pelvic injury and simply does not trust himself in the paint. Instead of recognizing the lack of offensive firepower around him, he often drove inside and kicked it out. Butler set the tone of passivity that most of his teammates followed.
Draymond Green and Buddy Hield were unable to replicate their hot three-point shooting in Game 1. Brandin Podziemski had another extremely quiet performance as well. Unsurprisingly, without anyone in the starting lineup stepping up in Curry’s absence, the Warriors were floundering.
Green and Butler led a solid, even if inconsistent, defensive effort that prevented Golden State from getting blown out of the gym. Although it was difficult to tell what Wolves struggles were their own doing opposed to results of timely defensive plays.
Nevertheless, the Wolves were comfortably ahead 29-15 at the end of the first quarter.
The Minnesota crowd collectively held their breath in the second quarter when Trayce Jackson-Davis landed on Wolves star Anthony Edwards’ ankle. After several minutes on the ground, Edwards gingerly limped to the locker room. At the half, Edwards was able to return to the floor and go through a workout and played without issue in the second half. He remained inconsistent from the field, perhaps hampered by the injury, but had no problem driving past Warriors perimeter defenders.
The bright spots for Golden State were two young players who had been removed from Kerr’s rotation since the acquisition of Butler: Trayce Jackson-Davis and Jonathan Kuminga.
Jackson-Davis was quite productive against the Wolves in the regular season and replicated that success on Thursday night. The athletic big man recorded 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 block, and 1 steals in 17 minutes of action.
Kuminga finally found his offensive rhythm for the first time in weeks. He finished the first half with a team-high 10 points on 5-for-5 shooting from the field and .
Kerr inserted Kuminga for Post alongside the starters to start the second half and for the first all game, the Dubs had life. They cut the deficit to seven multiple times and had opportunities to do more damage. However, the game seemed to turn after a Warriors stop followed by a double dribble by Butler that turned into a Wolves made three to get their lead back to double digits.
Kerr followed with a mass substitution, removing Kuminga and inserting both Moses Moody and Pat Spencer. Moody was unable to make a shot for the third consecutive game while the Wolves finally realized Spencer was the easiest Warriors player to attack in isolation. Kuminga returned shortly after, but the damage had already been done.
Kuminga recorded a Warriors-best 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting (1-for-3 from three) alongside 5 rebounds and 1 assists. He did miss some opportunities at the free-throw line (1-for-4) and have a couple of turnovers, but the Dubs cannot afford to be chasing perfection. Kuminga was Golden State’s only player that did not look afraid to shoot in the paint. It’s a low bar, but it’s one they will need to overcome to survive.
Edwards racked up 20 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, but Julius Randle carried the Wolves for the bulk of the game, particularly early. Randle had 24 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds. The Wolves as a team were excellent from three (16-for-37), combining some positive regression after an abysmal Game 1 with some poor defensive rotations by the Dubs.
It’s hard to imagine the Warriors winning a game in this series without any positive contributions from Podziemski, Moody, or Post. Of course, one trio of youngsters struggles has opened the door for others. Kuminga and Jackson-Davis capitalized in Game 2, and the rotation will likely reflect that in Game 3 on Saturday.