The Minnesota Timberwolves took a 2-1 lead in the Western Conference semifinal series on Saturday with a 102-97 victory in Game 3 against the Golden State Warriors.
The Warriors held the lead at the end of the third but were unable to keep up with Minnesota’s scoring down the stretch with Steph Curry absent.
Curry suffered a hamstring strain in Game 1, which caused him to miss the past two games in the series. The Warriors have confirmed that Curry will be re-evaluated and, if better, could play in a potential Game 6. But the Warriors have to get there first.
The Timberwolves went on a 9-0 scoring run in the second half of the quarter to move past the Warriors.
Julius Randle produced a triple-double with 24 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds. Anthony Edwards scored a game-high 36 points in the victory.
“I stunk in the first half,” Edwards told ESPN after the game. “As long as you trust the work, it will be alright.”
Jimmy Butler was just one of two players to score 30 points for the Warriors. Butler finished with 33 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Jonathan Kuminga came off the bench and scored 30 points.
Game 3 highlights: Timberwolves 102, Warriors 97
Final: Timberwolves 102, Warriors 97
3Q: Warriors 73, Timberwolves 69
The Warriors found their 3-point shooting in the third quarter after not making one in the first half. The Warriors went 5-for-10 from long range and will enter the fourth quarter with the lead over the Timberwolves.
Jimmy Butler scored 28 through the first three quarters to lead Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga had 20 points.
Anthony Edwards scored 15 of his 23 points in the third quarter to keep Minnesota in the game. Julius Randle added seven points in the quarter.
Halftime: Warriors 42, Timberwolves 40
The Warriors took the lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Warriors did not make a 3-pointer in the first half. It was the first time the Warriors had not made a shot from long range in a single half of a playoff game since playing the Dallas Mavericks in the first round in 2007, according to ESPN.
Jimmy Butler finished the first half with 18 points for the Warriors. Jonathan Kuminga shot 5-for-7 from the field for 12 points off the bench. Draymond Green scored just two points and Buddy Hield remained scoreless.
Julius Randle is the only member of the Timberwolves to score double-digit points in the first half with 13. Anthony Edwards scored just one point in the second quarter.
1Q: Timberwolves 21, Warriors 21
The Timberwolves led by as many as nine points in the first quarter before the Warriors closed the gap and tied the game at 21 going into the second quarter.
Anthony Edwards scored seven points for Minnesota. He shot 3-of-8 from the field and was 1-for-3 from the 3-point line.
Jimmy Butler scored a game-high 11 points for the Warriors. Draymond Green took the only 3-point attempt for the Warriors in the quarter.
Timberwolves starting lineup for Game 3 vs. Warriors
Mike Conley, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert make up the Timberwolves’ starting lineup for Game 3.
Warriors starting lineup for Game 3 vs. Timberwolves
Brandin Podziemski, Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler III, Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis were announced as the starting lineup for Game 3. Jackson-Davis is the newest addition to the starting lineup, replacing Quinten Post, who started Game 2.
Is Steph Curry playing tonight?
No, Curry remains out with a hamstring injury.
What time is Warriors vs. Timberwolves?
Game 3 in the NBA playoff series between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves is set to be played at 8:30 p.m., ET on Saturday, May 10.
How to watch Warriors vs. Timberwolves NBA playoff game: TV, stream
- Time: 8:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Chase Center (San Francisco)
- TV: ABC
- Stream: Sling TV, YouTube TV
Watch Timberwolves vs. Warriors Game 3 on Sling