When Steph Curry left Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals in the 2nd quarter with a hamstring, it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Minnesota Timberwolves would ultimately emerge victorious. Much like most of Minnesota’s shots all night (they shot 17.2 percent from 3), that assumption was way off.
The Warriors actually extended their lead with the world’s greatest shooter sidelined before withering a too-little-too-late Wolves flurry in the 4th quarter to steal the first game on the road. The final score was 99-99-88.
Julius Randle had a respectable 18 points (10 of which came from the free throw line, where he didn’t miss), but it wasn’t enough to curb Golden State’s plethora of tier two players, all of whom stepped up. Randle also chipped in three rebounds and six assists on the night.
Thanks to the aforementioned late Timberwolf late rally, the lead did not get so out of hand that former Kentucky Wildcat, Kevin Knox, saw any on-court action for the Warriors. Knox played sparingly in Golden State’s round one series against the Rockets, but wasn’t afraid to get up shots when Head Coach Steve Kerr called his number.
Unfortunately, the Minnesota rookie Rob Dillingham was unable to get shifty, as he remained out with a lingering ankle injury.
In a rare 6-seed versus 7-seed conference semifinal matchup, the series will remain in Minnesota for Game 2 on Thursday.
BBNBA Statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | P/M | MIN |
| Julius Randle (MIN) | 88-99 L vs. GSW | 18 | 4-11 (0-3) | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 3 | -4 | 30 |
| Kevin Knox (GSW) | 99-88 W vs. MIN | DNP-CD | ||||||||
| Rob Dillingham (MIN) | 88-99 L vs. GSW | DNP-Ankle |
Tonight in the NBA Playoffs
Eastern Conference Semifinals | Game 2 | NYK lead 1-0
7:00 (TNT) | Knicks (Towns) @ Celitics
Western Conference Semifinals | Game 2 | DEN leads 1-0
9:30 (TNT) | Nuggets (Murray) @ Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander, Knox)
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