The Golden State Warriors are on the brink of elimination after losing Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-117. A disastrous second half cost the Dubs any chance of tying the series.
At halftime, it looked like it was going to be an exciting game right up to the final minutes. The three-pointer fell, Jonathan Kuminga was once again unstoppable on offense (16 points in the first half) and the defense looked good. Anthony Edwards narrowed the gap again at the buzzer, but Golden State still went into the locker room with a 60-58 lead and a good feeling.
After the break, however, nothing went right for the Dubs. Jimmy Butler couldn’t get into his rhythm and wasn’t the leader GSW needed on another night without Stephen Curry, and the three-pointer wasn’t falling again. After not hitting a three-pointer in the first half of Game 3, they didn’t hit one in the third quarter this time. On top of that, Edwards was on fire, scoring 16 points in the third quarter alone, just one less than the entire Warriors team. In the end, the Wolves won the quarter 39-17, sealing the game with twelve minutes to go.
Edwards and Randle unstoppable
Edwards was only the second-best scorer on his team with 30 points (11/21 FG), while Julius Randle’s 31 points (11/21 FG) were the most. Jaden McDaniels also had a strong game and recorded a double-double (10, 13 rebounds).
For the Dubs, Kuminga was his team’s top scorer with 23 points (6/13 FG), followed by Butler and Draymond Green (14). Butler took only nine shots in the entire game and went to the free throw line only five times. His plus-minus of -30 was by far the worst of any player.
It will now be even harder for the Warriors to advance without Curry. They are down 1-3 and would have to win two games in Minnesota, even if Curry were to return for Game 5. So far, only four percent of all teams that have been down 1-3 have managed to turn the series around. Game 5 will take place on Thursday night (3:30 a.m. German time).
