The Golden State Warriors struggled to find answers without Stephen Curry on Thursday night, falling 117-93 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 to even the series at one game apiece. With Curry sidelined by a left hamstring strain, Golden State’s offense looked disjointed and overmatched against Minnesota’s length and athleticism.
The Warriors went nearly five minutes without a bucket to start the game, falling into a 13-0 hole before Jimmy Butler finally broke the drought with a three-pointer. That sluggish start set the tone for a night where Golden State simply couldn’t generate enough firepower.
Coach Steve Kerr threw everything at the wall, using 14 players, including 13 within the first 14 minutes, in search of a spark. Jonathan Kuminga was a rare bright spot, scoring 18 points on efficient shooting and showing flashes of the potential that made him a lottery pick. Young big man Trayce Jackson-Davis also impressed, going 7-for-8 from the field for 15 points.
But beyond those two, the Warriors’ offense sputtered badly. Buddy Hield and Brandin Podziemski were held in check, and Butler’s usual smooth floor game couldn’t compensate for the missing gravity that Curry provides.
The Warriors’ 15-point first quarter was their lowest in a playoff game since the 2016 NBA Finals, underscoring just how much they missed their superstar. Against a locked-in Timberwolves defense that packed the paint and closed out hard on shooters, Golden State had no rhythm and few reliable options.
Even Draymond Green’s energy, which can often lift the team, turned volatile. The veteran forward picked up his fifth technical foul of the postseason after a heated exchange with Naz Reid and referee Tony Brothers, nearly earning himself an ejection.
As Curry watched from the bench, even stepping in at one point to calm Green down, the Warriors faced a harsh reality: without their leader, they’re searching for an identity on both ends of the floor.
Now heading home with the series tied, Golden State must regroup quickly while hoping Curry’s hamstring heals in time to rescue their playoff hopes. Regardless of what happens, let’s provide a rating for every Warriors player after Thursday night.
Jonathan Kuminga: B+
Stats: 18 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 8-11 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-4 FT, -8, 26 MIN
Kuminga was one of the few Warriors who brought energy and effectiveness in an otherwise flat night. His 18 points on 8-for-11 shooting showed his efficiency, and he flashed the athleticism and scoring instincts that make him a key part of Golden State’s future. He attacked the rim aggressively and provided a spark that briefly kept the Warriors afloat. However, his 1-for-4 showing at the line and two turnovers remind that he’s still smoothing out his game in high-pressure playoff settings.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: B
Stats: 15 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 6-6 FG, 0-0 3PT, 3-5 FT, -15, 19 MIN
Jackson-Davis impressed with his activity around the basket, converting 7 of his 8 shots for 15 points in limited minutes. He also chipped in six rebounds and a block, showing poise and hustle against Minnesota’s physical frontline. His four fouls limited his playing time, and the Warriors were outscored while he was on the floor, but his efficient scoring and presence were among the few positives on a tough night.
Jimmy Butler III: B
Stats: 17 PTS, 7 REB (2 OREB, 5 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 6-13 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-5 FT, -4, 34 MIN
Butler, filling in as a secondary creator, had a mixed outing. His 17 points and four assists were solid, and he knocked down two threes to momentarily stop the bleeding early. Still, he wasn’t able to impose his will offensively the way the Warriors needed with Curry out. Two turnovers and a minus-4 rating in 34 minutes underscore that while Butler contributed, he didn’t have enough influence to shift the game’s momentum.
Buddy Hield: C+
Stats: 15 PTS, 3 REB (1 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 5-14 FG, 4-9 3PT, 1-1 FT, -9, 29 MIN
Hield’s 15 points came on volume rather than efficiency, with a 5-for-14 line from the field. He hit four threes but struggled to create his own shot against Minnesota’s length and closed out possessions without making the defense bend. His usual sharpshooting wasn’t enough to offset his quiet playmaking and defensive limitations, leaving the Warriors searching for more.
Brandin Podziemski: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 0 PF, 4-9 FG, 1-4 3PT, 2-2 FT, +1, 33 MIN
Podziemski quietly filled the stat sheet with 11 points, six rebounds, and six assists, leading the team in dimes. His two steals showed his activity defensively, and his plus-1 rating was notable on a night most Warriors struggled. Still, his 4-for-9 shooting and 1-for-4 mark from deep reflect his inconsistency, and like Hield, he couldn’t generate the offense Golden State desperately lacked without Curry.
Draymond Green: C
Stats: 9 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 5 AST, 1 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 3-10 FG, 1-6 3PT, 2-2 FT, -3, 29 MIN
Green’s nine points, five assists, and defensive contributions weren’t enough to outweigh the volatility he brought. His 3-for-10 shooting and 1-for-6 mark from three-point range hurt Golden State’s spacing, and his technical foul, his fifth of the playoffs, was a flashpoint that nearly boiled over. Green’s energy turned counterproductive, and though he tried to rally his team, he struggled to channel that fire productively.
Gary Payton II: D
Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-2 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -13, 11 MIN
Payton was a non-factor offensively, missing both of his shots and failing to score in 11 minutes. He grabbed one offensive rebound and tallied a steal, but his defensive impact wasn’t enough to change the game’s tone. His minus-13 rating summed up a rough stint where his trademark hustle didn’t translate into positive outcomes.
Moses Moody: D
Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 0-5 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, -13, 16 MIN
Moody had a forgettable night, going 0-for-5 from the field and missing all four of his three-point attempts. Though he got to the line and hit 3-of-4 free throws, his offensive struggles and two fouls in 16 minutes added to Golden State’s woes. His minus-13 mark reflected a game where he couldn’t find his rhythm and failed to capitalize on an opportunity for expanded minutes.
Pat Spencer: D
Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 0-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -20, 14 MIN
Spencer played 14 minutes but failed to score, missing both his shots. He grabbed two boards and handed out an assist, but his minus-20 rating stood out as the worst on the team. His minutes felt more like Kerr searching for answers than Spencer making an impact, as he struggled to find his place in the game’s chaotic flow.
Kevin Knox II: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 1-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-2 FT, -6, 9 MIN
Knox provided a brief scoring burst with three points in nine minutes, but his impact was limited. He hit 1-of-3 shots and grabbed a couple of rebounds, but didn’t shift the momentum during his time on the floor. His minus-6 rating in limited action was relatively modest on a night full of lopsided plus-minuses.
Quinten Post: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -13, 3 MIN
Post logged just three minutes and didn’t register any counting stats. His brief appearance came during garbage time, and he wasn’t able to make a noticeable imprint before checking out with a minus-13 rating.
Kevon Looney: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -10, 3 MIN
Looney also played only three minutes and didn’t contribute statistically. Like Post, his cameo came late with the game already out of hand, and he wasn’t part of the main rotation’s struggles or successes.
Braxton Key: N/A
Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 4 MIN
Key made the most of his four minutes, scoring two points on his only shot and grabbing a pair of rebounds. He also handed out an assist, showing some activity despite limited floor time. Still, his role was too small to influence the game’s outcome.
Gui Santos: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 8 MIN
Santos had an eventful eight minutes, tallying two rebounds, two assists, and a steal, but also committing three turnovers. His hustle was evident, but his mistakes outweighed his positives during garbage time minutes that reflected Golden State’s disarray.
