Led by Julius Randle, Wolves top Warriors to clinch series

Led by Julius Randle, Wolves top Warriors to clinch series

Julius Randle scored 29 points on 13-for-18 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwolves held on for a 121-110 win over the Golden State Warriors to clinch their Western Conference semifinal series on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. Anthony Edwards finished with 22 points and 12 assists for Minnesota, which won the best-of-seven series in five games. The Timberwolves advanced to the conference finals, where they will await the winner of the semifinal series between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets. Brandin Podziemski scored 28 points on 11-for-19 shooting to lead Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga added 26 points off the bench, and Jimmy Butler III chipped in 17 points and six assists. The Warriors dropped their fourth straight game without Stephen Curry, who watched in street clothes from the bench. Curry injured his left hamstring in the series opener after leading Golden State to a first-round playoff series win over the Houston Rockets. Minnesota led by as many as 25 points late in the third quarter. Randle dribbled the ball from one end of the court to the other and finished with a running layup to give the Timberwolves a 93-68 edge with 1:01 remaining in the third. The Warriors made a determined push in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to nine. Moses Moody drained a 3-pointer to bring Golden State within 99-90 with 7:11 to play. Edwards helped Minnesota regain a double-digit advantage moments later. He knocked down a 3-pointer to put the Timberwolves on top 102-90, and Jaden McDaniels increased the lead to 14 points with a steal and a layup with 6:36 remaining. The Timberwolves led 62-47 at the half. Golden State trailed 45-42 after Podziemski made a jump shot with 4:11 left in the half. Minnesota closed the second quarter on a 17-5 run to grab a 15-point lead. Randle finished the first-half scoring with a three-point play after making a layup and drawing a foul. The Timberwolves shot 62.8 percent (49 of 78) overall and 41.9 percent (13 of 31) from beyond the arc. The Warriors shot 43.3 percent (39 of 90) from the field and 28.2 percent (11 of 39) from 3-point range. --Field Level Media

byRicky Wilson

in

May 14, 2025

Led by Julius Randle, Wolves top Warriors to clinch series

Led by Julius Randle, Wolves top Warriors to clinch series Julius Randle scored 29 points on 13-for-18 shooting, and the Minnesota Timberwol...

Read More

Warriors offseason outlook: Can they maximize Stephen Curry's competitive window?

Warriors offseason outlook: Can they maximize Stephen Curry's competitive window?

Unlike with Boston and Cleveland,the second-round demise of the Warriorswasn't that big of a surprise. Yes, Stephen Curry's hamstring injury was a bitter blow, but you might say Golden State went exactly as far as their talent allowed it to. For a while now, the Warriors have found themselves in an odd place. After winning the title three years ago, age, roster alterations and unfulfilled expectations have created a product that comes with a fairly set ceiling, despite the continued excellence of Curry when healthy. This season, in particular, was filled with major change. Klay Thompson left for Dallas last summer, and Jimmy Butler was acquired before the trade deadline. It also appears Jonathan Kuminga is probably not long for this roster, especially after the Butler deal. Yet, that trade did signal a willingness from ownership to give Curry some help over the course of his final years. The organization might not have championship upside, but it can make enough noise to get into the playoffs and perhaps reach the Western Conference finals with some tweaks and if everything breaks right. That's fairly solid, all things considered. Of course, as the Warriors head into the offseason you have to wonder if they — internally — are fine with "solid," or if they have loftier goals. If Golden State wants more, this has to be another summer of change. Kuminga, who will be a restricted free agent, doesn't have an obvious market. For one, only the Brooklyn Nets have oodles of cap space, and secondly, it's still not clear what type of player he is after four seasons in the league. The Butler trade signaled a willingness to lean further into a veteran identity. With Brandin Podziemski and Moses Moody both capable of playing off Curry, Butler and Draymond Green, those two seem like good bets to stick around. Summer will reveal what they're thinking and how they plan to move forward, but it would surprise no one if the Warriors continue to try to maximize Curry's competitive window. Record:48-34, seventh in the Western Conference. Lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games in the second round. Buddy Hield's 33-point Game 7 performance against the Houston Rockets in the first round was epic and showed the veteran in just the right light. Hield, notorious for making odd decisions late in games, leaned into the role of zone-busting sniper, cashing in nine triples and acting as a major release valve. In his very next game, he failed to put on the right shorts and delayed Game 1 against the Wolves. Don't ever change, Buddy. Stephen CurryJimmy ButlerDraymond GreenMoses MoodyBuddy HieldBrandin Podziemski Jonathan Kuminga (RFA)Gary Payton II (UFA)Kevon Looney (UFA)Trayce Jackson-Davis (non-guaranteed)Quinten Post (team option) $164,107,671 No. 41 Draft focus:At this range, nothing will make a huge difference. However, adding shooting wouldn't be the worst idea. Technically, the Warriors could have the Non-Tax MLE at their disposal, however, that depends on what happens with Kuminga. If he's back in the fold on a hefty price tag, or if the team has conducted a sign-and-trade in which they take back salary similar to his new deal, then things get a little more complicated. Needless to say, this team wants to be competitive, even if it's older and slower than its 2022 title team. It'd be odd if the Warriors didn't approach this summer as buyers in order to further strengthen the roster moving forward. However, they have to be realistic about not only what they can afford, but what type of talent they can absorb. Adding more shooting to a team that features both Butler and Green would probably be a good idea.

byRicky Wilson

in

May 14, 2025

Warriors offseason outlook: Can they maximize Stephen Curry's competitive window?

Warriors offseason outlook: Can they maximize Stephen Curry's competitive window? Unlike with Boston and Cleveland,the second-round demi...

Read More

Red Sox outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela combine for unbelievable 2-man HR robbery

Red Sox outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela combine for unbelievable 2-man HR robbery

Home run robberies are a classic MLB highlight, but the Boston Red Sox found some room for innovation on Wednesday. Facing the Detroit Tigers with the game tied 5-5, reliever Liam Hendriks allowed a long fly ball to Kerry Carpenter in the seventh inning. The ball looked like a homer, and would have been, had Gold Glove right-fielder Wilyer Abreu not put a glove on it as it flew over the fence. But the play didn't end there. Abreu got a glove on the, but he only bobbled it back into the field of play, into the waiting arms of center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela for a two-man home run robbery. No one watching was happier than Hendriks. The umpire crew reviewed the play and upheld the rare 9-8 putout. ARE YOU KIDDING?!?!WILYER & CEDDANNE MAKE UNBELIEVABLE GRAB.pic.twitter.com/8WEKwRRay9 — Red Sox (@RedSox)May 15, 2025 And that, kids, is why you run to back up a fellow outfielder. Hendriks gushed about the play after the game, saying there were gifts coming for both outfielders,via MassLive's Chris Cotillo: "I don't think I've seen that ...," he said. "(My reaction was) 'Thank God.' It was a hell of catch. Off the bat, I was like, 'Oh, crap.' Then I saw Willy drifting back and thought maybe we had a chance. Didn't think it was that chance." "You see these guys. Willy's got a Gold Glove for a reason." Unfortunately for the Red Sox, it was a highlight in a losing effort. Aroldis Chapman allowed a ninth-inning rally that culminated in a walk-off single by Tigers pinch-hitter Justyn-Henry Malloy.

byRicky Wilson

in

May 14, 2025

Red Sox outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela combine for unbelievable 2-man HR robbery

Red Sox outfielders Wilyer Abreu and Ceddanne Rafaela combine for unbelievable 2-man HR robbery Home run robberies are a classic MLB highlig...

Read More

Tom Brady will ride with Jimmie Johnson during Indy 500 parade laps

Tom Brady will ride with Jimmie Johnson during Indy 500 parade laps

Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady will get a feel for IndyCar's speed when he rides with seven-time NASCAR Cup series champ Jimmie Johnson during the parade laps ahead of the start of the Indianapolis 500. Before the 109th running of the Indy 500 on May 25, IndyCar and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway will bring back a two-seat version of the IndyCar for the first time since 2019. Brady, who is now an in-game NFL analyst for Fox, will ride with Johnson as part of an agreement between Penske Entertainment and Fox Sports, who will serve as IndyCar's exclusive broadcast partner for the first time this year. Johnson raced in the Indy 500 just once, in 2022, when he finished 28th after crashing with several laps remaining. He qualified in the 12th position. Brady made a cameo in one of the Fox IndyCar commercials that was aired during Fox's NFL coverage. In the ad, the narrator said two-time Indy 500 winner Josef Newgarden might have "the greatest jawline in sports" before Brady appeared on camera and quipped, "He's not that handsome." Fellow Fox NFL analysts Michael Strahan and Rob Gronkowski also will have roles at the event. Strahan will serve as the celebrity pace car driver ahead of the drop of the green flag, and Gronkowski will be a roving reporter around the grounds throughout the six-hour window of Fox's coverage.

byRicky Wilson

in

May 14, 2025

Tom Brady will ride with Jimmie Johnson during Indy 500 parade laps

Tom Brady will ride with Jimmie Johnson during Indy 500 parade laps Seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Tom Brady will get a feel for...

Read More

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis sitting out 2nd half of Game 5 vs, Knicks: 'He couldn't breathe'

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis sitting out 2nd half of Game 5 vs, Knicks: 'He couldn't breathe'

Kristaps Porziņģisonly played 12 minutes in the Boston Celtics'127-102 winover the New York Knicks in Game 5 of their second-round NBA playoff series. He only scored one point, along with one rebound and one block. Asked why Porzingis didn't play in the second half, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said, "He couldn't breathe." In Wednesday's victory, that created an opportunity forLuke Kornetto play what was likely the best game of his career with seven blocks, 10 points and nine rebounds. Not only was he a strong defensive presence, but he also moved well in Boston's half-court game, setting screens and cutting to the basket for dunks and layups. (Kornet shot 5-of-5 from the floor.) LUKE KORNET DOING IT ALL FOR BOSTON ☘️pic.twitter.com/cgYHPgkcDO — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT)May 15, 2025 However, Mazzulla insisted that Porzingiscould have played if necessary. But the two of them decided at halftime that he would sit out, despite the game being tied at 59-59. The coach also told reporters that he expected Porzingis to play in Game 6 of the series on Friday. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla started Porzingis in Game 5 after startingAl Horfordat center for the past three games in the series. Boston went with a bigger lineup with Tatum out, starting Porzingis and Horford withJaylen Brownin the frontcourt.Derrick WhiteandJrue Holidaystarted at guard. pic.twitter.com/ePjJeoQVR6 — Follow @MrBuckBuckNBA (@jfkvbjkcc)May 14, 2025 Mazzulla may have been right that a bigger lineup was necessary against the Knicks' frontline with Tatum out. But it was Kornet andSam Hauserwho provided the needed energy, especially on defense at the basket. Yet for those who believe the Celtics can't repeat as NBA champions without Porzingis making an impact — especially withJayson Tatumsufferinga season-ending torn Achilles injury— the center's lack of effectiveness has to be a concern. Porzingis has been struggling with an upper respiratory illnessthroughout the season, which the Celtics say is a a non-COVID-19 illness, andplayed 13 minutes in Game 1, scoring no points. "I'm dealing with some — I don't know how to call it. I'm just not feeling my best. I'm not feeling my best at all," Porzingis said after Game 2,via Boston.com. "It kills me inside that it's happening in this moment." Porzingis saidhe felt better in Game 4and played 24 minutes. But whatever energy he had on Monday wasn't there on Wednesday. The question now for the Celtics is whether or not they're a better team with Kornet on the court and if that will be enough to win two more games against the Knicks.

byRicky Wilson

in

May 14, 2025

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis sitting out 2nd half of Game 5 vs, Knicks: 'He couldn't breathe'

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla on Kristaps Porzingis sitting out 2nd half of Game 5 vs, Knicks: 'He couldn't breathe' Kristaps Porzi...

Read More