The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a setback in their Western Conference semifinal opener, falling 99-88 at home to the Golden State Warriors-a result that stunned many, especially after Warriors star Stephen Curry exited early with a left hamstring strain
Golden State seized control from the outset, building a lead that swelled to 23 points by the third quarter. Draymond Green and Buddy Hield stepped up in Curry’s absence, combining for clutch three-point shooting and relentless defense. Hield finished with 24 points, while Green contributed 1, including four first-half threes
Minnesota’s offense sputtered, especially from beyond the arc. The Timberwolves missed their first 16 three-point attempts and ended the night just 5-for-29 from deep. Anthony Edwards struggled early but rallied to score 23 points and grab 14 rebounds, while Naz Reid added 19 points. Despite a late push, the Wolves never seriously threatened Golden State’s advantage
With Game 2 looming, the Timberwolves face immediate pressure to respond and avoid heading to San Francisco down 0-2. The big question for both teams: Will Curry be available, or can the Warriors continue to thrive without their leader?
