Rating Warriors Players vs. Timberwolves: Jimmy Butler Steps Up In Massive Game 1 Victory

The Golden State Warriors opened their second-round series in inspired fashion, battling through the sudden loss of Stephen Curry to claim a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. With their star sidelined early by a hamstring strain, the Warriors leaned on Buddy Hield and Draymond Green to fill the scoring void and executed a stifling defensive game plan that left the Timberwolves scrambling all night. 

Hield, fresh off his record-setting Game 7 in Houston, stayed hot with 24 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc, while Green turned back the clock with four first-half threes and 18 points overall.

Golden State’s resilience showed in every corner of the box score, with Jimmy Butler contributing 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, and the bench providing energetic minutes as coach Steve Kerr rotated 12 players into action. The Warriors’ zone defense proved a masterstroke, baiting a cold-shooting Wolves squad into one of their worst perimeter displays of the postseason. 

Minnesota missed its first 16 attempts from deep and finished just 5-for-29 from three-point range, unable to mount any serious threat after falling behind by 23 points late in the third quarter.

The injury to Curry, who exited in the second quarter after grabbing his hamstring, cast a shadow over the win, but the Warriors showed they could weather adversity. They controlled the tempo, dominated hustle plays, and locked in defensively, turning the game into a grind that Minnesota couldn’t solve despite 23 points and 14 rebounds from Anthony Edwards and 19 more from Naz Reid.

As the Warriors now await word on Curry’s status for Game 2, they head into Thursday’s matchup with momentum and a clear identity. Let's provide a rating for every Warriors player after Tuesday night.

Jimmy Butler III: A

Stats: 20 PTS, 11 REB (7 OREB, 4 DREB), 8 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 7-20 FG, 2-8 3PT, 4-6 FT, +15, 41 MIN

Butler brought his signature playoff toughness, nearly posting a triple-double with 20 points, 11 boards, and 8 dimes. His 7 offensive rebounds were huge, keeping possessions alive and wearing Minnesota down. The shooting (7-20 FG) was inefficient, but his impact was undeniable, setting the tone with physicality and leadership on both ends.

Buddy Hield: A

Stats: 24 PTS, 8 REB (4 OREB, 4 DREB), 3 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 7-19 FG, 5-8 3PT, 5-5 FT, +22, 40 MIN

Hield stayed scorching hot, following up his Game 7 heroics with another sharpshooting clinic. His 5-of-8 from deep was critical in building and maintaining the lead, and he added 8 rebounds for good measure. Zero turnovers and perfect from the line — exactly the kind of poised, veteran effort Golden State needed with Curry out.

Draymond Green: A

Stats: 18 PTS, 8 REB (0 OREB, 8 DREB), 6 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 4 TO, 5 PF, 6-13 FG, 4-10 3PT, 2-2 FT, +11, 35 MIN

Vintage Draymond. He hit 4 threes in the first half (a rare sight), played airtight defense, and orchestrated the offense with his passing and movement. His 18 points and 8 boards were bonus production, while his disruptive defense and energy helped fluster the Wolves’ attack. Yes, 5 fouls and 4 turnovers, but his fingerprints were all over this win.

Stephen Curry: B

Stats: 13 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 5-9 FG, 3-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, +10, 13 MIN

Curry looked sharp before exiting, hitting 3-of-6 from deep in just 13 minutes. His 13 points gave Golden State an early cushion, and his +10 plus-minus showed his presence was felt. The grade stays at B only because of the limited minutes; his brief stint was efficient and effective, but the injury leaves big questions going forward.

Gary Payton II: B

Stats: 8 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 4 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 4 PF, 3-4 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 26 MIN

Payton provided his trademark hustle, chipping in 8 points, 5 boards, and solid perimeter defense. His 2-of-3 from deep was a pleasant surprise, and he helped anchor the Warriors’ zone looks. A steadying role player's performance that helped fill gaps left by Curry’s absence.

Brandin Podziemski: C+

Stats: 3 PTS, 8 REB (0 OREB, 8 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 1-7 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, -1, 29 MIN

Podziemski struggled with his shot (1-of-7) but compensated by battling on the glass (8 rebounds) and moving the ball (3 assists). Defensively, he held up well in the zone scheme, but his offensive rhythm never clicked. A gritty but uneven showing.

Jonathan Kuminga: C+

Stats: 7 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 2-5 FG, 1-1 3PT, 2-2 FT, -9, 13 MIN

Kuminga flashed in spurts, hitting a three and showing his athleticism on defense. But with just 7 points and a -9 plus-minus in 13 minutes, he never fully stamped his authority on the game. A solid but unspectacular outing.

Kevon Looney: C+

Stats: 2 PTS, 6 REB (2 OREB, 4 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 1-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 14 MIN

Looney did Looney things: rebounded (6 boards in 14 minutes), played smart team defense, and made his lone field goal attempt. He also added 2 steals and a block, but saw limited time as Kerr leaned on smaller lineups. Quietly effective in his short stint.

Pat Spencer: C+

Stats: 4 PTS, 2 REB (2 OREB, 0 DREB), 0 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 2-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -2, 11 MIN

Spencer brought energy, grabbing 2 offensive rebounds and nabbing 2 steals in 11 scrappy minutes. His effort popped, even if his impact was modest overall. Gave Kerr quality minutes in a pinch.

Moses Moody: D

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-4 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, -14, 9 MIN

Moody couldn’t find a rhythm in his 9 minutes, missing all 4 of his shots and posting a team-worst -14. His defense wasn’t sharp enough to offset the lack of offense, making this a tough night at the office.

Gui Santos: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 4 MIN

Santos played only 4 minutes late and didn’t record a stat. No real grade here, though he picked up a quick foul.

Quinten Post: N/A

Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +14, 6 MIN

Post got 6 garbage-time minutes and grabbed a rebound. His +14 was nice, but his minutes came with the game already decided.