Timberwolves Aim to Even Series as Warriors Adjust Without Curry

Timberwolves vs. Warriors: Can Minnesota Avoid a 2-0 Hole in the Semifinals?

The Western Conference Semifinals are already heating up as the Minnesota Timberwolves gear up for a crucial Game 2 battle against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday. After a rocky start to the series, Minnesota finds itself staring down the barrel of a 2-0 deficit unless they can dig deep and respond in a big way.

Let’s be honest — Game 1 was not pretty for the Timberwolves. They shot blanks from three-point range for the entire first half, literally. According to ESPN Research, they went 0-for-15 from deep, matching the worst playoff mark for a half without a single make over the last 25 years. That kind of stat line is going to haunt any coach’s clipboard.

And speaking of haunting performances, Anthony Edwards had a night to forget. The usually electric guard went 0-for-8 from the field in the first half, which, believe it or not, ties the franchise record for most misses without a make in a playoff half since the play-by-play era began in 1997-98. Ouch.

❗ Key Storylines Heading into Game 2:

• Stephen Curry’s Injury: The Warriors’ superstar left Tuesday’s Game 1 with a hamstring issue. An MRI later revealed a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring. As per the team's announcement on Wednesday, Curry will be reevaluated in a week, and there’s no official timeline for his return.

• Buddy Hield’s Heroics: While all eyes were initially on Curry, it was Buddy Hield who stepped up big time in Game 1. He dropped 24 points and was clearly the x-factor that swung momentum in Golden State’s favor.

• Jimmy Butler III’s All-Around Game: Don’t overlook Jimmy Butler III, who put together a solid stat sheet: 20 points, 11 boards, and 8 dimes. Nearly a triple-double — and that was without Curry sharing the floor for the whole game.

Now the question looms — can the Timberwolves bounce back? Or will the Warriors return home with a commanding 2-0 lead?

🧠 What Went Wrong for Minnesota in Game 1?

Let’s break it down: Minnesota looked completely out of sync from tip-off. The offense stalled, ball movement felt stagnant, and their usual energy just wasn't there. The first half numbers speak volumes:

• 0-for-15 from beyond the arc

• Edwards shooting 0-for-8

• Scored only 89 total points

That’s not going to cut it in the playoffs, especially against a seasoned squad like the Warriors, who have championship DNA baked into their culture.

Sure, some might say it's just an off night. But in the playoffs, there's little room for error. Now Minnesota needs to regroup fast if they want to prevent this series from spiraling out of control.

💥 Warriors Thrive Under Pressure — Even Without Steph

Curry going down is obviously a huge blow. You can’t just replace one of the greatest shooters of all time and expect things to go smoothly. But here’s the thing: Golden State has depth, and that’s exactly what showed up in Game 1.

Buddy Hield’s 24 points weren’t just good — they were clutch. He hit timely shots, spaced the floor, and punished every Timberwolves defensive lapse. His performance helped keep the Warriors in control even without their usual engine.

Plus, Jimmy Butler III continues to prove he’s not just a scorer but a leader and facilitator. With 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists, he nearly single-handedly orchestrated the offense down the stretch.

Golden State also tightened up defensively, forcing Minnesota into uncomfortable looks and winning the battle on the boards.

🔥 What Minnesota Must Do to Bounce Back

It’s not rocket science. The Timberwolves know where they went wrong — and more importantly, they know what they need to fix. If they're going to even this series at 1-1, here are the three non-negotiables:

1. Hit the Open Threes
   It sounds simple, but Minnesota has to start hitting their perimeter shots. Going 0-for-15 in a half is unacceptable at this level. Whether it's Edwards, Towns, or the supporting cast — somebody has to get hot.

2. Get Edwards Going Early
   Confidence is everything in the postseason. Edwards needs to find a rhythm early, either by attacking the paint or hitting some mid-range jumpers to loosen things up.

3. Control the Tempo
   The Warriors love to speed things up and catch teams off guard in transition. Minnesota has to dictate the pace, make it a half-court game, and avoid sloppy turnovers.

If they can tick all three of those boxes, this series could head to Golden State tied 1-1 — and that would be a major momentum shift.

🕹️ X-Factors for Game 2

Let’s not forget the wildcard elements that could tilt Game 2 either way:

• Klay Thompson: With Curry out, Thompson might step into a larger offensive role. If he finds his shot, it could be a long night for the Wolves.

• Rudy Gobert: The big man needs to dominate the paint — not just on defense, but also on second-chance opportunities. His presence could be a game-changer.

• Bench Production: Both teams are relying more on their bench than usual, especially with Curry sidelined. Whichever second unit steps up could quietly win the game.

🏀 What’s Next?

All eyes now turn to Thursday night, where we’ll see if the Timberwolves can show some grit and avoid falling into a dreaded 0-2 hole. For Golden State, it’s a chance to tighten their grip on the series, even while their biggest star watches from the bench.

So, what’s it going to be? Will the Warriors hold it down without Curry and snatch a commanding lead? Or can Minnesota bounce back with fire, poise, and maybe a little bit of desperation?

Grab your snacks, settle in, and get ready — because Game 2 is shaping up to be a playoff thriller.