Timberwolves, Warriors Level Western Semifinals 1-1 Ahead Game 3

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors are set to play Games 3 and 4 of the Western Conference semifinals in San Francisco, with the series tied 1-1 after splitting the first two games in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves, seeded sixth, upset the third-seeded Los Angeles Lakers in the first round and earned home-court advantage over the seventh-seeded Warriors, who ousted the Houston Rockets in seven games. Golden State won Game 1 on the road but lost star guard Stephen Curry to a strained left hamstring, ruling him out for Games 3 and 4 and leaving the team to find new sources of production. Curry's absence was felt in Game 2, where the Warriors lost 117-93 to Minnesota. The Warriors also faced challenges earlier in the playoffs when they were without Jimmy Butler due to injury. The Timberwolves aim to capitalize on their momentum from previous California road wins as the series moves westward.