Edwards, Randle lead Timberwolves past Warriors 102-97 for 2-1 lead in second-round playoff series

SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Despite missing Stephen Curry and battling foul trouble with Draymond Green, the Golden State Warriors held a five-point lead in the fourth quarter and looked poised to seize control of their second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

But Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle had other plans.

Edwards drilled a clutch baseline three-pointer with 1:19 left and finished with 36 points, while Randle posted a triple-double — 24 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds — to lead Minnesota to a 102-97 win Saturday night and a 2-1 series lead.

Jimmy Butler added 33 points, seven assists, and seven rebounds for the Wolves. Jonathan Kuminga led the Warriors with 30 points off the bench, but Golden State struggled to find its usual offensive rhythm without Curry, who remains sidelined with a strained left hamstring suffered early in Game 1.

Kuminga shot 11 of 18 from the field as the Warriors continued to experiment with lineups in Curry’s absence. Trayce Jackson-Davis started after a strong Game 2 showing but played only 11 minutes.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr emphasized the need for defensive stops, but Golden State couldn’t deliver in the closing minutes. Edwards, showing no signs of the ankle sprain he sustained in Game 2, hit a go-ahead three with 6:16 remaining. Jaden McDaniels added another big three-pointer at the 3:20 mark.

Randle, who started the night 1-for-6 and missed his first four three-point attempts, found his range midway through the second quarter and ended up 10-for-23 from the field.

Buddy Hield gave the Warriors hope with a late three-pointer that cut the deficit to 93-89 with 1:56 remaining, but Golden State faltered down the stretch, including a key turnover following a McDaniels mistake.

The Warriors missed all five of their three-point attempts in the first half but still took a 42-40 lead into the break. Hield later found his rhythm and scored 14 points in the second half.

Draymond Green fouled out with 4:38 left on a controversial call while contesting a McDaniels shot. Visibly frustrated, he sprinted to the bench and stood with arms crossed, watching his team fall just short.

Game 4 is set for Monday night at Chase Center.