Warriors sputter without Steph Curry, drop Game 2 vs. Timberwolves

MINNEAPOLIS The Warriors ran the same sets they unfailingly did during Thursday s matchup with Minnesota the second challenge of the teams conference semifinal series There were split cuts shooters running around screens and plenty of motion overall the plays looked the same but without Steph Curry out with an injury greasing the wheels with all-time great shotmaking the Warriors offense sputtered Meanwhile the defense was unable to withstand Minnesota s potent shooting in a - blowout at Target Center Curry was sitting next to the coaches in a black and red hoodie after being ruled out for the contest with a hamstring strain that will keep him sidelined until at least Championship Even with the franchise s greatest participant sitting in street clothes next to the coaches the Warriors stayed in the tournament for two and a half quarters before running out of steam With the star sidelined a mismash of role players had to play big minutes next to Jimmy Butler who had points Jonathan Kuminga scored and proved an ability to use his latent athleticism to create his own shot off the bounce Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with points and Anthony Edwards put in After going down - at halftime the Warriors began the third quarter on a - run with Buddy Hield and Kuminga each burying -pointers to cut the Minnesota lead to just seven with around six minutes to go But after seeing their lead trimmed to - the Wolves responded with an - run that put Minnesota back in control Minnesota led - at the end of the third quarter and salted the battle away from there Things could not have started worse for Golden State After going for from -point land to start Event Minnesota made its first two triples on makes by Jaden McDaniels and Mike Conley as the Wolves jumped out to a - lead The Wolves finished the encounter for from long range Butler scoring five points was about all that went well for the Warriors in the first quarter which saw the Wolves lead - after the Warriors had more turnovers five than assists four and only six made field goals The second quarter was not much better even when the Wolves appeared to make a mistake When Naz Reid fouled Draymond Green the Warriors forward flailed his arms in a manner reminiscent of his play against Houston s Fred VanVleet in the first-round finale Just like in that contest lead official Tony Brothers dinged Green with a technical foul his fifth of the postseason If he receives seven techs it mandates an automatic one-game suspension Golden State was not the only squad that saw its franchise member leave a competition with an injury Edwards had scored seven points in the first half when he left the battle with an apparent left ankle injury at the mark of the second quarter After remaining in the locker room for the rest of the first half Edwards returned to a thunderous ovation to start the third quarter Edwards came back looking healthy scoring in the second half The Wolves withstood Golden State s rally and pulled away to even up the series Championship will be played at Chase Center on Saturday at p m