Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) shoots subsequent to Minnesota Timberwolves guard Mike Conley (10) throughout the first half of Recreation 3 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff collection Saturday, Might 10, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photograph/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
SAN FRANCISCO — With the NBA all-time 3-point chief Stephen Curry relegated to cheering whereas sidelined by a hamstring harm and sporting a grey sweatsuit on the bench, the Golden State Warriors struggled to determine their long-range recreation in a 102-97 Recreation 3 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night time.
They didn’t make a shot from deep within the first half, however led 42-40 on the intermission anyway.
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Golden State missed its first 5 tries from past the arc earlier than Buddy Hield related 35 seconds into the third quarter. The Warriors got here into Recreation 3 in opposition to Minnesota with a playoff-leading 135 3-pointers.
Golden State made 6 of 11 3s within the third quarter to go forward 73-69 and completed 10 for 23 from deep.
“It’s arduous to generate 3s, you need to achieve a bonus and get rotations. It’s arduous for us to do with out Steph, with out our level guard and pick-and-rolls,” coach Steve Kerr stated. “Jimmy (Butler) is clearly creating lots, it’s completely different. It’s not the identical stage of stretching the protection out like Steph does. So we’ve acquired to attempt to discover methods to attain extra, to attempt to generate extra photographs.”
It marked the primary time the Warriors didn’t hit a minimum of one 3 in any half of an NBA playoff recreation for the reason that second half of a 112-99 loss in Recreation 2 of the primary spherical in opposition to Dallas in 2007. The Warriors completed 4 for 20 in that one.
It was additionally the primary time they went with no 3 in a primary half of a playoff recreation within the play-by-play period, since 1997. Two different groups this postseason have been held with no 3 within the first half — Minnesota in Recreation 1 of this collection and the Boston Celtics in Recreation 5 of their first-round win in opposition to Orlando. No group had accomplished so the earlier six postseasons.
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The Warriors additionally turned the primary group to steer a playoff recreation at halftime regardless of making no 3s for the reason that Toronto Raptors in Recreation 3 in opposition to the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017.
Curry strained his left hamstring early in Recreation 1 at Minnesota and is scheduled to be reevaluated Wednesday.
Hield made 4 3s and scored all 14 of his factors within the second half, however there’s extra consideration on him with Curry out.
“Even the primary two video games earlier than that we weren’t capable of get 3s up. The one individual most likely getting 3s up was most likely Steph,” Hield stated. “And Steph shouldn’t be on the market the best way they’re gravitating to me, simply acquired to discover a approach to get some up. You don’t wish to be forceful on the market … you don’t wish to take unhealthy photographs. All people’s like you need to have the ability to get 3s up however you’ve acquired to stay to the vitality of the sport, the movement of the sport.”
