The Minnesota Timberwolves' explosive duo Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle combined for 61 points and 10 three-pointers to power a 117-110 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, seizing a 3-1 series lead in the Western Conference semifinals.
With Stephen Curry still sidelined, Golden State once again struggled to find answers on either end of the floor.
Despite Steve Kerr’s repeated emphasis on defence, the Warriors were overwhelmed by the Timberwolves’ relentless pace and perimeter shooting.
Edwards dropped 30 points, including a flurry of 11 during a stunning 17-0 run in the third quarter that turned the tide of the game.
He knocked down six 3-pointers, none more impactful than back-to-back daggers that capped Minnesota’s surge. The Timberwolves hit 16-of-34 from beyond the arc on the night.
Randle, fresh off a Game 3 triple-double, added 31 points on 11-of-21 shooting and torched Golden State’s interior defence with powerful drives and clutch shot-making.
He had 19 points by halftime, keeping the Wolves afloat before Edwards turned up the heat.
“Every time we try to close the gap, one of them makes a shot,” Warriors forward Draymond Green said postgame.
Golden State led 60-58 at the break, but Edwards’ buzzer-beating three shifted momentum Minnesota’s way.
By the end of the third quarter, the Wolves had established control, and the Chase Center crowd could feel the pressure.
Game 5 heads to Minneapolis on Wednesday, where the Timberwolves will look to close out the series and punch their ticket to the Western Conference Finals.
Unless the Warriors find a way to contain Minnesota’s dynamic duo — and fast — this could be the end of the line.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ