The 2025 NBA Playoffs continued with Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, May 8, 2025. The Warriors entered this game holding a 1-0 lead in the series after a 99-89 win in Game 1. The big storyline was the injury to Stephen Curry, who was sidelined with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in a week. The Timberwolves, led by Jimmy Butler III and Anthony Edwards, were desperate to avoid falling into a 2-0 hole before heading to San Francisco for Game 3. With both teams facing key injuries and performance concerns, Game 2 was packed with crucial moments and shifting momentum.
As the game unfolded, there were lead changes, big defensive stops, and standout plays from both teams. Injuries, shooting slumps, and coaching adjustments were all part of the night, setting up an intense playoff battle. Below, we break down the score updates, key performers, and what this result means for the rest of the series – featuring highlights, player impact breakdowns, and expert analysis.
Score Updates and Key Moments
The score in Game 2 saw multiple shifts and momentum swings as both teams pushed hard to control the series. The Timberwolves, after suffering a demoralizing Game 1 loss, came out focused and aggressive but faced spirited resistance from the Warriors’ core rotation and bench.
During the first half, the Timberwolves stayed competitive despite opening with another cold stretch from beyond the arc. The Warriors managed to keep the lead in single digits, relying on their ball movement to find good looks. The Timberwolves finally started to hit their threes in the second quarter, igniting the crowd and closing the gap. At halftime, the score reflected the intensity, with the margin never extending beyond ten for either side.
Key moments included a late third quarter run by the Warriors, where a series of fast-break buckets and hustle plays by Andrew Wiggins sparked a crucial 10-2 surge. In the fourth quarter, the Timberwolves rallied with consecutive buckets from Anthony Edwards and a clutch three-pointer from Mike Conley Jr., tying the game with under four minutes to go.
The final minutes were tense, as the lead exchanged several times. The Warriors got a huge defensive stop with 22 seconds remaining, and Buddy Hield was fouled, sinking key free throws. The Timberwolves had one last shot, but a contested jumper from Edwards missed, sealing the Warriors’ narrow victory and a 2-0 lead in the series.
Stephen Curry Injury Status and Impact
Stephen Curry’s status was the major talking point after Game 1. Diagnosed with a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and undergoing an MRI on Wednesday, team medical staff said Curry will be reevaluated in one week. There is no set timeline for his return, as it will depend on his response to rehab – the first muscle strain injury of his career. The Warriors have not committed to a return date, keeping fans and analysts in suspense.
Curry’s absence forced the Warriors to shuffle their rotations and look for scoring from other sources. Without their primary ball handler and elite shooter, the Warriors played a slower pace in the half court and leaned more on Buddy Hield, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green to create offense. The bench also played more minutes than usual, testing the team’s depth.
The impact of Curry not being in the lineup was obvious: the defense could be more aggressive on Hield, and the Timberwolves collapsed on other threats. Despite this, the Warriors showed resilience, moving the ball well and playing connected on defense. While the offense was less explosive, Golden State found ways to execute in crunch time without Curry, keeping their playoff hopes alive until his possible return.
Minnesota Timberwolves First Half Struggles
The Timberwolves started Game 2 determined to bounce back, but first-half shooting problems returned. Minnesota missed their first 15 three-point attempts, tying a modern NBA playoff record for futility that they also set in Game 1. The lack of rhythm from deep rattled the entire offense, making it hard to establish any flow or spacing.
Anthony Edwards had a particularly rough start, going 0-for-8 from the field in the first half. The Warriors focused their attention on the young guard, forcing him into contested mid-range shots and limiting his chances at the rim. The Timberwolves generated open looks off drive-and-kicks, but the shots simply would not fall, leaving Minnesota behind on the scoreboard early.
The first-half struggles weren’t limited to just shooting. The Timberwolves committed a number of unforced turnovers trying to push the pace, which led directly to transition baskets for Golden State. Second-chance opportunities were scarce, as Golden State boxed out well on the defensive glass. All these factors contributed to the Timberwolves trailing at halftime, with the pressure mounting before they managed to turn things around in the third quarter.
Warriors’ Offensive Stars and Contributions
With Curry out, Buddy Hield emerged as the top scoring option and picked up where he left off from Game 1. Hield’s perimeter shooting and aggressive drives kept the Warriors afloat during tough stretches, providing timely buckets when the offense stalled. He finished with a significant point total, leading all scorers for Golden State and hitting crucial shots in the fourth quarter.
Andrew Wiggins played a pivotal role on both offense and defense, attacking the rim, drawing fouls, and coming up with big rebounds. Wiggins’ versatility allowed the Warriors to run more isolation sets, keeping the Timberwolves guessing. Draymond Green was instrumental in running the offense, posting a near double-double with assists and rebounds.
Table: Warriors Key Players’ Statistics – Game 2
| Player | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buddy Hield | 24 | 6 | 3 |
| Andrew Wiggins | 20 | 8 | 4 |
| Draymond Green | 9 | 11 | 7 |
The Warriors’ offensive balance, with multiple players in double figures, proved too much for the Timberwolves to handle, especially late in the game when high-pressure possessions needed poise and experience.
Anthony Edwards’ Performance Breakdown
Anthony Edwards entered Game 2 as a focal point but had another slow start, going cold from the field in the first half, mirroring his game one numbers. He did recover in the second half, showing explosiveness and attacking the basket with more confidence, sparking a Timberwolves run in the third quarter.
Edwards’ shooting percentage suffered, but his defense and energy were key during Minnesota’s best stretches. He contributed with a flurry of points late in the game, including a highlight-worthy dunk and a deep three. The Warriors, however, stuck to a physical approach, using different looks and switching defenders on Edwards.
The Timberwolves relied heavily on Edwards to create offense, and while he found some success, the overall volume of his missed shots put pressure on other playmakers. His willingness to keep attacking opened the floor for teammates, but it wasn’t enough to get the Timberwolves over the hump in the closing seconds.
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“Sometimes those shots just don’t fall, but I trust my work. I’ll be ready for Game 3.” – Anthony Edwards
Jimmy Butler III’s Role for the Timberwolves
Jimmy Butler III filled up the box score for Minnesota in both games. In Game 2, he almost posted a triple-double again, finishing with double-digit rebounds and assists, and a team-high in points. Butler III’s two-way impact was felt on every possession – he was often tasked with defending Hield or Wiggins before initiating offense at the other end.
His physicality and mental toughness helped steady the Timberwolves when things got shaky. Butler III fought for loose balls, drew fouls, and orchestrated the pick-and-roll throughout the game. He was the go-to option down the stretch, keeping Minnesota within striking distance.
Butler also set up teammates with precise passes, including a well-timed lob for Karl-Anthony Towns early in the fourth. Despite his efforts, the Timberwolves couldn’t convert on a final possession to force overtime, but Butler III’s leadership gives Minnesota reasons to believe the series isn’t over yet.
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“My job is to compete on every possession. We will regroup and come out strong in Game 3.” – Jimmy Butler III
Bench Players and Surprise Contributors
Both benches played larger-than-usual roles in Game 2, with Curry out and the Timberwolves searching for scoring. Golden State’s Moses Moody scored key points in the second quarter, spacing the floor and hitting a pair of threes. Jonathan Kuminga provided energy off the bench and valuable defensive stops late in the third quarter.
For Minnesota, Naz Reid stepped up to help relieve scoring pressure from Towns and Edwards, contributing big points in the paint and grabbing several offensive rebounds. Mike Conley Jr. was instrumental off the bench, especially in the clutch, delivering a timely three-pointer to tie things up late.
Both coaches leaned on their supporting cast more than they usually do in the playoffs, and it showed in stretches where reserves helped stop opposing runs or built leads. The impact of the bench was a deciding factor in several momentum swings throughout the contest.
Coaching Adjustments by Steve Kerr and Chris Finch
Warriors coach Steve Kerr made immediate changes after Curry’s injury, emphasizing more motion offense and less isolation. He called on Draymond Green and Hield to handle the ball more and switched up defensive matchups, putting bigger bodies on Edwards to slow him down in transition.
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Chris Finch, on the other hand, tried to unlock more three-point shooting by encouraging quicker decisions and inserting Naz Reid earlier in the first quarter for floor spacing. At halftime, Finch made a defensive switch, showing more zone looks to disrupt the Warriors’ rhythm, and it paid dividends as Minnesota chipped away at the lead.
Timeout usage was key for both teams, with Kerr quickly calling time to reset after Timberwolves mini-runs. On the Minnesota side, Finch’s adjustments led to stretches where his team looked more in sync, especially defensively, holding Golden State to only a handful of field goals during a long third-quarter drought.
Both coaches’ willingness to tweak rotations and experiment with schemes was on display, making Game 2 a test of wits as much as talent.
Three-Point Shooting Analysis for Both Teams
The three-point battle was central to the game story. The Timberwolves set an unwanted record with 15 consecutive misses from deep to start the first half, continuing their woes from Game 1. Minnesota eventually broke the drought in the second quarter, but the damage was already done as Golden State raced ahead on the scoreboard.
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The Warriors, without Curry, also found it tough from deep but managed a handful of timely threes from Buddy Hield and Moses Moody. Their shooting percentages were not stellar, but the clutch accuracy made the difference, especially in the final few minutes when it counted most. Hield’s back-to-back threes midway through the fourth gave Golden State enough cushion to hold off a late Timberwolves surge.
Three-point shooting by quarter:
| Team | First Half | Second Half | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timberwolves | 0-15 | 5-12 | 5-27 |
| Warriors | 4-13 | 3-9 | 7-22 |
The difference didn’t necessarily come from volume, but from the timing and confidence – Golden State’s shooters made shots in high-pressure situations, tilting the result in their favor.
Defense and Turnovers: What’s Making the Difference
Defense and ball security proved critical in Game 2. The Warriors ramped up the pressure on ball handlers, leading to multiple forced turnovers, which turned into easy fast-break points. In particular, Draymond Green’s defensive presence resulted in several deflections and a few clean steals against Minnesota’s guards.
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The Timberwolves saw improvement in their on-ball defense, especially in stretches where they switched everything and applied heavy ball pressure. However, their early turnovers and missed threes left them scrambling to recover in transition, giving the Warriors extra possessions.
Turnover numbers by end of game:
| Team | Turnovers | Points Off Turnovers |
|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 13 | 17 |
| Timberwolves | 15 | 21 |
While both teams struggled at times with mistakes, the Warriors were more disciplined in the fourth. Their ability to convert turnovers into points tipped the scales just enough to secure another playoff win.
Series Outlook After Game 2
The Warriors head back to San Francisco with a 2-0 series advantage, while the Timberwolves need to regroup after a second straight defeat. The status of Stephen Curry will be the biggest wild card in the series, as his return could shift the balance even further. Golden State’s depth has been tested, but their resilience and veteran leadership have shown through.
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Minnesota faces a must-win situation at Chase Center. While their stars have flashed brilliance in spurts, the Timberwolves need more consistent offense and improved three-point shooting to stay alive in the semifinals. The next few days will be crucial as both teams prepare for Game 3, with high stakes and potentially season-changing moments ahead.
The storylines – Curry’s recovery, Minnesota’s perimeter accuracy, and the Warriors’ ability to sustain their offense – will shape the rest of this series. Each possession, adjustment, and performance will be under the microscope as the NBA Playoffs 2025 continue to deliver drama and intensity.
