The Golden State Warriors began their Western Convention Semifinal collection with a powerful 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on the Goal Heart. This offers the Warriors a 1-0 lead of their first-ever playoff assembly with the Timberwolves.
The Warriors got here into this recreation slightly below 48 hours after beating the Houston Rockets in a troublesome Recreation 7 of the primary spherical. In the meantime, the Timberwolves reached the semifinals with an uncommon 4-1 collection win over the LA Lakers.
In Recreation 1, Buddy Hield stepped up for the Warriors after Stephen Curry left the sport within the second quarter with a hamstring harm. Hield led the group with 24 factors, eight rebounds, and three assists. Jimmy Butler additionally had a powerful efficiency, scoring 20 factors, grabbing 11 rebounds, and giving eight assists. Draymond Inexperienced, who lately turned the fifth quickest participant in NBA playoff historical past to achieve 1,000 rebounds and 1,000 assists, added 18 factors, eight rebounds, and 6 assists.
For the Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards led with 23 factors, 14 rebounds, and two assists. Naz Reid contributed 19 factors and 5 rebounds, whereas Julius Randle added 18 factors, three rebounds, and 6 assists.
The Timberwolves began the sport with Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Anthony Edwards, and Mike Conley. Rob Dillingham missed the sport as a result of an ankle harm. The Warriors began with Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Hield, Butler, and Inexperienced, however Curry needed to depart within the second quarter as a result of harm.
The Warriors got here out sturdy, beginning with an 11-2 run within the first quarter. The Timberwolves struggled early, lacking 5 photographs in a row. Nevertheless, they bounced again with an 8-0 run to take a 14-13 lead halfway by means of the primary quarter. The quarter ended with the Timberwolves main 20-18, whereas the Warriors went 0-for-8 from three-point vary.
Within the second quarter, the Warriors had a 9-0 run that gave them a five-point lead. By halftime, Golden State was forward 44-31. Inexperienced had already scored 16 factors, and Curry had 13 earlier than leaving the sport. The Timberwolves have been nonetheless struggling, lacking all 15 of their three-point photographs by halftime.
The Warriors saved up the stress within the third quarter, ending with an 8-0 run to steer 80-60. Buddy Hield scored 16 factors in that quarter alone.
The Timberwolves tried to return again within the fourth quarter with an 11-3 run, slicing the result in 15 factors, and later right down to 10. However the Warriors held agency and completed the sport 99-88 winners.
Recreation 2 may also be performed on the Goal Heart on Thursday, 8 Might
