Assessing every Golden State player’s performance from the team’s 102-97 loss to Minnesota.
Well, Saturday night was either encouraging or disheartening. The Golden State Warriors lost Game 3 of their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves by a score of 102-97, putting their backs firmly against the wall. They trail 2-1 in the series, and Monday becomes an absolute must-win game.
The encouraging part is that the Warriors goal was to grab one of these two home games, and stay in it for a hopeful Steph Curry return in Game 5 or 6 (likely the latter). The Warriors proved emphatically that they can beat the Wolves without Curry and indeed, took a lead into both the halftime locker room and the fourth quarter.
The disheartening part is that they lost. It was a prime chance to grab the win they so desperately need, and they couldn’t quite do it. There’s no guarantee that such a situation will arise on Monday.
While we wait for that critical game to transpire, let’s grade the Warriors who almost pulled it off on Saturday. As always, grades are based on my expectations of each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.
Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League average TS this season was 57.6%.
Jimmy Butler III
43 minutes, 33 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 turnovers, 4 fouls, 12-for-26 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, 7-for-9 free throws, 55.1% TS, -1
I said after Game 2 that I wanted Butler to take 20 shots and 10 free throws in this game. 26 and nine, respectively, certainly suffices. Butler brought an entirely different energy to Game 3. This was the Butler who carried two Miami Heat teams to the NBA Finals. From the onset he was attacking the rim, going straight at every Minnesota defender, and forcing the action.
It wasn’t a perfect night by any stretch of the imagination. Minnesota’s size, especially Rudy Gobert, gave Butler some fits. He didn’t score super efficiently, and often got all the way to the rim just to kick the ball out instead of shoot. He some unfortunate turnovers and his defense was more good than great.
But that’s picking nits given the situation he’s in, asked to carry a team in Curry’s absence while playing extremely heavy minutes while still compromised by an injury.
Grade: A-
Post-game bonus: Led the team in points and assists.
Draymond Green
29 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 5 turnovers, 6 fouls, 1-for-4 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 25.0% TS, -5
Not Green’s best effort. He was pretty much a non-factor on offense, finishing with more turnovers than assists or shots taken. He struggled to make in impact rebounding the ball with Minny’s size. And while his defense was strong when he was on the court, he also fouled out in just 29 minutes of action.
Grade: C
Trayce Jackson-Davis
11 minutes, 7 points, 2 rebounds, 1 block, 2 fouls, 3-for-4 shooting, 1-for-2 free throws, 71.7% TS, -1
TJD got the start, and it certainly didn’t backfire, though I’m not convinced he’ll still be starting on Monday for Game 4. He provided some really important looks on offense, though, and made some great moves on both ends of the court. Even if he’s not starting on Monday, he’s still the center who will play the most.
Grade: B+
Buddy Hield
32 minutes, 14 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, 5-for-11 shooting, 4-for-8 threes, 63.6% TS, -5
Hield had a rough offensive first half and a rough defensive second half. But he had a nice defensive first half and an awesome offensive second half. This wasn’t the star showing that he’s had in recent games, but he’s playing miles above where he was during the regular season.
Grade: B+
Brandin Podziemski
39 minutes, 5 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 1-for-10 shooting, 1-for-4 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 23.0% TS, -2
Podz had an absolutely awesome game rebounding the basketball. Unfortunately, he struggled at pretty much everything else.
Grade: C
Post-game bonus: Led the team in rebounds.
Quinten Post
3 minutes, 0 points, 1 foul, -6
It’s just not a good matchup for Post. He isn’t able to exploit Minnesota’s defense with his shooting, nor is he able to provide much on the other end of the court with his size.
Grade: C
Gary Payton II
26 minutes, 2 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 2 fouls, 1-for-4 shooting, 0-for-2 threes, 25.0% TS, -1
GPII got a lot more minutes in this game than in the last one, in part because Moses Moody isn’t playing much, and in part because the Warriors desperately needed someone to stop Anthony Edwards.
Payton did a really solid job on defense, but really didn’t do anything else in the game.
Grade: B-
Jonathan Kuminga
36 minutes, 30 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 11-for-18 shooting, 3-for-4 threes, 5-for-6 free throws, 72.7% TS, +5
What an absolutely dynamic performance from Kuminga. He was the Warriors best player on Saturday and, were it not for a burst from Edwards in the fourth quarter, Kuminga would have been the best player in the game … and it would have been a game the Warriors won.
He brought the right mentality. He was relentless attacking the rim, constantly looking to finish in the paint or draw contact. He only really took jump shots when it was late in the clock, or he was wide open. He made some really good passes, and he played an absolutely sensational defensive game.
The Warriors season is on the line on Monday. Don’t be surprised if Kuminga starts and plays 40 minutes.
Grade: A+
Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.
Kevon Looney
18 minutes, 4 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 6 fouls, 1-for-4 shooting, 2-for-2 free throws, 41.0% TS, -2
While Jackson-Davis is the best center matchup in this series, Looney got the most center minutes on Saturday, as Steve Kerr was desperate to find some interior defense and steady rebounding. Looney provided some excellent moments, though he couldn’t stop fouling people.
Grade: B
Moses Moody
3 minutes, 0 points, -7
The following grade is a cumulative one, and a reflection of how Moody, who is for all intents and purposes out of the rotation, has been playing the last few weeks. He has now played four straight games without a made field goal, and looks lost in every area.
Grade: F
Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.
Saturday’s DNP-CDs: Braxton Key, Kevin Knox II, Gui Santos, Pat Spencer
Saturday’s inactive: Steph Curry