The Curry-less Golden State Warriors unleashed a dominant second-half performance, snatching a 99-88 win and a homecourt advantage over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the NBA Western Conference Semifinals on May 07.
Minnesota Timberwolves Top Performers:
Anthony Edwards 23 PTS | 14 REB | 3 STL | 51.8 FPS
Edwards got off to a bad start, scoring just one point on 0-for-9 shooting in the first half. But he bounced back in the second, finishing with his ninth double-double of the season and his second straight in the playoffs. It also marked his fifth postseason game with at least 20 points. Still, Edwards is capable of much more, especially given his perimeter shooting volume, averaging nearly nine attempts per game. That said, expect stronger scoring games from him as the series continues.
Naz Reid 19 PTS | 5 REB | 1 BLK | 28.5 FPS
Reid knocked down three three-pointers, outshooting the rest of the team, which went just 5-for-29 on the night—following a 7-for-47 performance in their Game 5 win against the Lakers. Despite finishing the season ranked 4th in three-point percentage and 5th in threes made, the team has struggled mightily against the zone, missing their first 16 attempts before Reid finally hit one while they were down by 20. With the offense in need of a spark, they’ll need Reid to continue stepping up. He was especially impressive in the fourth quarter, scoring eight quick points.
Rudy Gobert 9 PTS | 11 REB | 3 BLK | 30.2 FPS
Gobert may not be a consistent offensive threat, but his defense was on full display today. With a clear advantage over the smaller Warriors lineup, he has every opportunity to dominate, just as he did against the Lakers. He should continue to be a dependable presence, particularly with his strong interior game.
Julius Randle 18 PTS | 3 REB | 6 AST | 27.6 FPS
Randle dominated the Lakers, scoring at least 20 points on solid efficiency in four straight games. However, he struggled this time around, finishing with his lowest scoring performance of the playoffs. Despite that, he managed to stay productive with a perfect 10-for-10 showing from the free-throw line. While he hasn’t been at his best offensively against the Warriors this season, he should still remain an impactful presence at his position.
Jaden McDaniels 12 PTS | 4 REB | 1 BLK | 21.3 FPS
McDaniels wasn’t much of a factor offensively today, struggling against the Warriors’ zone defense, but he remained impactful on the defensive end. However, he’s had multiple strong scoring performances against the Lakers and is certainly capable of doing it again in this series.
Golden State Warriors Top Performers:
Jimmy Butler 20 PTS | 11 REB | 8 AST | 50.2 FPS
Butler got off to a slow start in the first half, but he remained a major factor with five offensive rebounds. His struggles continued in the second half, particularly from three-point range, but he still finished with his third straight game of at least 20 points, all while constantly threatening a triple-double. The team will now rely heavily on him for offense, so expect him to maintain this level of performance.
Draymond Green 18 PTS | 8 REB | 6 AST | 38.6 FPS
Green was a game-changer, making a solid impact on both ends of the court. Defensively, he was a key reason the Warriors held a +10 rebounding advantage and did a terrific job slowing down Randle. Offensively, he started hot, going 4-for-5 from deep, and has now scored at least 16 points in each of his last two games. He also made history by recording his 1,000th playoff assist, becoming just the 15th player in NBA history to reach that mark. It’s clear that Green will continue to play a crucial role in the series.
Buddy Hield 24 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST | 41.1 FPS
Hield started poorly, going 0-for-7 from the field, but he completely turned things around in the second half. He exploded for 16 points in the third quarter and finished 5-for-8 from three-point range. He’s now totaled 57 points and 14 threes over his last two games, and the team will need him to keep this momentum going forward.
Gary Payton 8 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST | 22.0 FPS
Payton played through an elbow problem and illness but still provided an offensive performance while also making plays all over the court. But his biggest impact comes on defense, where he stands as the team’s best option for guarding Edwards, and his role will only grow more important.
Stephen Curry 13 PTS | 1 REB | 1 AST | 14.7 FPS
Curry came out hot, scoring all of his points, including three three-pointers, midway through the second quarter. However, his dream start quickly turned into a nightmare when he hit a jumper and was seen grabbing the back of his leg. He did not return and was later ruled out with a left hamstring injury. His status remains uncertain, as he is scheduled to undergo further tests tomorrow. In general, a Grade 1 hamstring strain (mild) may heal within a few days to a couple of weeks. A Grade 2 strain (moderate tear) typically requires 3 to 6 weeks of recovery, while a Grade 3 strain (severe tear or complete rupture) can take several months and may require surgery, potentially sidelining him for the rest of the playoffs.
Biggest Disappointment of the Game:
Brandin Podziemski 3 PTS | 8 REB | 3 AST
Podz endured another rough shooting night, going just 1-for-7 from the field, and has now had minimal scoring outputs in seven of his eight playoff games. However, he remains an important part of the rotation thanks to his defense and is also expected to take on a larger role offensively moving forward.
