Timberwolves Tie Western Semifinals with 117-93 Win over Curry-Less Warriors

The Minnesota Timberwolves evened their Western Conference Semifinals series against the Golden State Warriors with a commanding 117-93 victory in Game 2, capitalizing on the absence of Warriors star Stephen Curry due to a left hamstring strain. Julius Randle led Minnesota with a playoff career-high 11 assists, alongside 24 points and seven rebounds, joining franchise greats like Kevin Garnett in achieving a rare 20 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds stat line in the playoffs. Anthony Edwards contributed 20 points despite an ankle injury scare during the game, while bench players Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker added significant scoring support. The Warriors struggled offensively without Curry, scoring their lowest first-quarter total in playoffs since 2016, although Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis provided bright spots with efficient shooting. Coach Steve Kerr rotated 14 players in an effort to spark the offense, but the Warriors' thin lineup was unable to overcome the Timberwolves' versatile defense. The series is tied 1-1, with Curry expected to miss several upcoming games, giving Minnesota an opportunity to seize the series lead on the road.