Anthony Edwards scored 30 points for his second consecutive 30-point game, Julius Randle added 31 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Golden State Warriors 117-110 on Monday night (May 13), taking a commanding 3-1 lead in their Western Conference playoff series. With the win, the Timberwolves now head back to Minneapolis with a chance to close out the series in Game 5 of this best-of-seven matchup on Wednesday night.
Kuminga’s Bench Performance Shines for Warriors
Five Warriors players scored in double figures, with Jonathan Kuminga leading the team with 23 points off the bench. Golden State held a slim two-point lead entering the second half, but the Timberwolves took control in the third quarter, outscoring the Warriors 39-17, establishing a 20-point lead going into the final period.
Edwards’ Explosive Third Quarter Fuels Timberwolves’ Surge
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves’ charge in the third quarter, scoring 16 points and hitting a crucial three-pointer. Minnesota shot a blistering 65.2% from the field, making 15 of 23 attempts, and nailed 6 of 12 three-pointers (50%) in that period. Meanwhile, Golden State struggled offensively, finishing the quarter with just 7 of 19 field goals (36.8%) and 0 of 6 from beyond the arc.
Timberwolves’ Three-Point Shooting and Rebounding Dominate
Edwards and Randle combined for a staggering 61 points for Minnesota, with the Timberwolves showcasing their long-range shooting prowess by hitting 16 of 34 three-pointers (47.1%) in the game. Jaden McDaniels added 10 points and 13 rebounds, contributing to the team’s dominant performance.
Warriors’ Kuminga Steps Up, But Team Struggles Without Curry
On the Warriors’ side, Kuminga’s bench performance continued to impress, as he scored 23 points and went an impressive 11-for-12 from the free-throw line. This followed his 30-point effort in Game 3, making it clear that he was a rising star in this series.
Key Contributions from Butler, Green, and Hield
Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green both contributed 14 points, with Buddy Hield adding 13. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr opted to keep Kuminga coming off the bench, while Trayce Jackson-Davis started in a bigger role to provide size. Despite the absence of Stephen Curry, Minnesota head coach Chris Finch focused his defensive game plan on limiting Golden State’s three-point shooting, which proved effective as the Warriors made only 8 of 27 attempts from deep.
Game 5 in Minneapolis: Can the Timberwolves Close It Out?
The series now shifts back to Minnesota for Game 5 on Wednesday, where the Timberwolves will have a chance to advance to the next round. Should the Warriors win, they will return to Chase Center for Game 6 on Sunday night. Golden State will still be without their star player, Stephen Curry, who is out for a third straight game and is scheduled to undergo surgery on his left hamstring injury on Wednesday.
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