Curry-less Warriors squander big nights from Butler, Kuminga in Game 3 loss
SAN FRANCISCO – Everything was in place for a gritty, improbable Warriors playoff win over Minnesota at Chase Center on Saturday night.
With Steph Curry watching from the sidelines with a gimpy left hamstring that will likely keep him out until at least a potential Game 6, Jimmy Butler scored 33 points and pulled out a vintage takeover game befitting of his “Playoff Jimmy” mantle.
Jonathan Kuminga wowed with 30 points, using his overwhelming athleticism to play the perfect complement to his veteran teammate.
But it was not enough.
Wolves superstar Anthony Edwards scored 28 of his 36 points in the second half and Julius Randle had a 24-point triple double to hand the Warriors a gut-wrenching 102-97 loss that put Golden State in a 2-1 series hole while returning home-court advantage to Minnesota in the best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series.
After being the subject of racially-abusive heckling in Game 2, Draymond Green fouled out with 4:38 left. He had two points, two rebounds, four assists and five turnovers, but the Warriors’ defense collapsed without him.
The Warriors led going into the fourth quarter, but saw their slim lead evaporate with a 17-7 Wolves run to begin the period. With no Curry and Green down the stretch, Butler and Kuminga’s great nights went to waste.
Curry’s absence was felt early on, when Golden State attempted just one 3-pointer in the first quarter.
After another slow start to the second quarter, when it took until the 5:44 mark of the frame to reach double-digit points, the Warriors went on a 13-1 run to take a 42-40 lead with 41 seconds remaining before halftime.
The Timberwolves did not make a field goal over the last 6 1/2 minutes of the half.
Kuminga successfully blasted to the rim when given the ball with space, scoring 12 in the half and giving the Warriors a two-point halftime advantage despite missing all five of their 3-point attempts.
The Warriors were 6 of 11 from distance in the third quarter, with Buddy Hield making three to complement Butler and Kuminga’s drives to the rim as Golden State led 73-69 after three quarters.
Golden State will look to even up the series in Game 4 at Chase Center on Monday.