Some analysts believed Jimmy Butler conserved his energy in Golden State`s Game 2 defeat against the Timberwolves, planning to unleash it for Game 3 at home. This theory posited that Game 3 represented the Warriors` best chance to secure a crucial road win, needed to remain competitive until Stephen Curry`s potential return.
Regardless of whether this was a planned strategy or simply a departure from his sometimes less aggressive Game 2 demeanor, Butler delivered a remarkably assertive performance in Game 3, contributing 33 points for Golden State.
However, it wasn`t enough. Propelled by a dominant second half from Anthony Edwards and another impactful playoff game from Julius Randle, Minnesota ultimately pulled away late, securing a 102-97 victory and taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
For the Warriors, this loss makes Monday`s Game 4 effectively a must-win situation. Facing a 3-1 deficit and a potential elimination game back in Minnesota, likely without Curry, their odds of winning that game or mounting a series comeback would be exceedingly slim.
The challenge is that Butler expended significant energy in Game 3. It appeared to exhaust him by the end, evident in missed layups and a scoring drought over the final eight minutes. When Butler`s offense stalled, the Warriors, who severely lack shot creation beyond Curry and Butler, struggled to find alternative scoring options, despite Jonathan Kuminga`s impressive 30-point outing.
Jonathan Kuminga`s performance warrants special mention. It`s noteworthy for a talented young player, recently removed from the rotation, to return and score 48 points over the last two games of the series. However, the team`s primary offense cannot consistently flow through Kuminga in a crucial playoff context; his points are most effective when derived from specific opportunities like favorable matchups, transition plays, and exploiting defensive gaps, which he executed well.
“He was brilliant,” Steve Kerr said of Kuminga. “[He] played one of the best games of his life. It was fantastic to see. You can see how necessary he is in this matchup, especially without Steph. We`re having a tough time getting free, and he`s obviously capable of giving us some points, getting to the rim and I thought he was fantastic. … I`ve just been impressed with the way he`s handled things the last couple weeks [being out of the rotation] and the way he`s stayed ready and put in the work and it paid off tonight.”
Despite Kuminga`s effort, Butler is the player who needs to be exceptional to elevate the performance of peripheral players who aren`t primary offensive creators. He did so on Saturday, prompting the question: At 35 years old and potentially not fully healthy after recent injuries, can he repeat that effort on Monday? Steve Kerr sounds optimistic.
“We`re right there. We feel great about our chances [in Game 4],” Kerr said. “This is what the playoffs are all about. There`s these emotional swings and momentum shifts and we`ve just got to take tomorrow off and get the guys refreshed, recharged and come back in Monday and tee it up again.”
Kerr is correct that emotional swings are part of the playoffs, and a win on Monday could shift the series momentum. However, the reality is that replicating the combined 63-point outburst from Butler and Kuminga in consecutive games seems unlikely.
Even if they manage a similar offensive output, it`s improbable the Wolves will commit 21 turnovers again. Now that Anthony Edwards, who rediscovered his scoring touch with 28 points in the second half, appears to be out of his slump, can the Warriors consistently achieve enough defensive stops and secure the necessary rebounds to defeat Minnesota with essentially one primary offensive threat (respect to Kuminga, but he doesn`t demand the same level of defensive attention)?
Once again, that outcome feels improbable. Game 3 was the opportunity the Warriors needed to seize, and it was well within their grasp. While their 3-point shooting wasn`t stellar (10 of 23, with none made in the first half for the first time in play-by-play records), they played strong defense throughout and received stellar performances from Butler and Kuminga. The path to victory seemed clear as they had a chance to extend their lead to three possessions midway through the fourth quarter.
However, a detrimental stretch from Draymond Green followed.
With 7:11 remaining and the Warriors holding a five-point lead, Green gambled on an entry pass to Julius Randle, resulting in an uncontested dunk for Randle, despite Green having successfully defended him one-on-one earlier. This play cut the lead to three. On the subsequent possession, Green rushed the ball up the court, drove carelessly into traffic, lost the ball, and Minnesota scored on the fast break off the turnover.
Combined with Gary Payton II`s missed corner three and a crucial triple from Edwards on the other end, the Warriors` five-point advantage vanished in less than a minute, leaving them trailing by two.
Less than two minutes later, Green fouled out. In hindsight, this moment felt like the game`s decisive turning point. Golden State`s defense had kept them competitive all night, but its effectiveness diminishes significantly without Green, mirroring the offense`s struggle without Curry.
This defensive drop-off was evident when Green sat with four fouls during the latter half of the third quarter and the beginning of the fourth; the Wolves` offense, which had been struggling for every point, suddenly found easier paths to the basket, including uncontested layups.
The Warriors made a final push after Green`s departure, reducing the deficit to four points with 1:56 left on a three-pointer by Buddy Hield. When Hield forced a Minnesota turnover on the following possession, giving the Warriors the ball back down four, a real opportunity emerged. They needed a good shot, ideally not a forced three, but Hield attempted a desperate, contested shot that even Curry would likely deem ill-advised. It missed, and with that, the Warriors` chances effectively ended.
As Golden State prepares for Game 4, they do so knowing they can compete closely with the Wolves without Curry, but perhaps lacking the consistent physical or mental stamina for consecutive peak performances. The team`s determination is undeniable. Furthermore, Butler has previously delivered consecutive standout playoff games, even while appearing fatigued. For the Warriors to have a realistic opportunity to even the series and pave the way for Curry`s potential return, Butler will likely need another extraordinary effort.
Jasper Hawthorne