Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

The Golden State Warriors will aim to take a 2-0 lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the Western Conference semi-finals on Thursday night after winning a decisive victory in their first-ever playoff encounter.

All four road teams have now won Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals for the first time in NBA history after Wednesday's victory at Target Center. The Timberwolves will try to even the series before traveling to California.

The Minnesota Timberwolves suffered a tough loss in their playoff debut against the Golden State Warriors, falling 99-88 in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals at Target Center on Tuesday evening.

The first quarter saw a tight battle, with Minnesota holding a slim two-point lead after multiple lead changes. However, the Warriors surged ahead with an 18-2 run to open the second quarter, taking command of the game and never relinquishing their grip.

Anthony Edwards, who averaged 26.8 points per game and guided the Timberwolves to a 4-1 triumph over the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round, sent LeBron James and the Lakers to another early playoff exit. In this game, Edwards was limited to seven shots and stayed quiet for much of the night but erupted for 13 points in the fourth quarter, ending with a 23-point, 14-rebound double-double. Julius Randle contributed 18 points, six assists, and three rebounds.

After a lackluster shooting performance, where they shot just 39% from the field and failed to reach 90 points, Chris Finch’s squad will need to regroup. This marked only their second playoff game this season, following a 94-85 defeat to the Lakers on April 23.

Notably, the Warriors secured the Game 1 victory despite losing Stephen Curry to injury with 8:20 remaining in the second quarter. Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler filled the void, with Hield sinking five of eight three-pointers for a team-high 24 points, and Butler adding 20 points and 11 assists for his first double-double of the postseason.

This win came just two days after the Warriors outlasted the Houston Rockets 103-89 in a tense Game 7 of the first round at Toyota Center, having squandered a 3-1 series lead earlier. With this result, Steve Kerr’s team improves to 9-2 in their last 11 road games, with their only losses coming in Games 2 and 3 against the Rockets.

The Warriors arrived at Target Center riding a streak of four straight wins over the Timberwolves, a turnaround from losing all five prior matchups between the two teams.