MINNEAPOLIS — You could see vestiges of what the Golden State Warriors used to be, what they hoped to be if everything flowed optimally.
Stephen Curry bopping and hopping, paying no mind to the defense of Nickeil Alexander-Walker, hitting a stepback triple. Jimmy Butler catching and shooting decisively, not waiting on the defense to shade his way.
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But more appropriately, you saw the best of what the Warriors used to be in the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Devastating 3-point shooting. Suffocating defense. Sharing the ball selflessly.
That’s the mark the Warriors have left on the league following this glorious run, the one that seemingly came to an end Wednesday night, the Timberwolves advancing in five games with a 121-110 victory here at Target Center.
The Timberwolves advance to this round for the second straight year, both berths improbable given the lack of optimism most of the basketball world felt for this franchise. That goodwill was left toward the mainstays, which is why there was so much hope for a Curry return if his injured hamstring had improved in the break between Games 5 and 6.
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Perhaps it was for the best this series didn’t extend. Not for lack of drama because a potential Curry comeback would’ve been dripping with theater, him coming out to the Chase Center faithful — the belief that a miracle would’ve been possible.
Certainly the anemic way the Warriors performed on offense Wednesday, shooting under 40 percent for most of the night, they would’ve been aided by Curry’s offensive wizardry. The Timberwolves did everything they could to gum up the ball movement offense, and even though the Warriors accomplished their game plan goals of winning the possession game and hoisting up 39 3-pointers, it was still futile.
“When you don’t have Steph on the floor, the margin for error is so much smaller, and everything has to take on more,” Butler said. “Injuries happen. But it is a lot different with Steph not out there.”
But Curry’s presence wouldn’t have helped defend Julius Randle playing the best and most controlled basketball of his career, or Anthony Edwards continuing to grow into his own as a current torchbearer.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr and Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards share a moment after Game 5 on Thursday in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
To a man, the Warriors gave full credit to the Timberwolves, who shot 63 percent and 42 percent from 3. It’s hard not to when a team beats you four straight times, Curry being there or not. The Warriors have won two playoff series since winning the 2022 title, and each loss signaled something minute.
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Losing to the Los Angeles Lakers ended an awkward season that began with Draymond Green punching Jordan Poole in training camp, which followed them all year. Losing to the Sacramento Kings in the play-in tournament last year ended the long kiss goodbye to Klay Thompson.
This one, it wasn’t like the Warriors lost to mirror images of themselves — nobody would confuse Anthony Edwards or Rudy Gobert any reasonably facsimile to players of Warriors vintage, but the how seemed telling.
Seeing Jaden McDaniels flying around on both ends sure conjured up images of a younger Andre Iguodala as the ultimate glue guy, and the Timberwolves even through their flaws took full advantage of a wounded team. They didn’t want to take any chances of Curry coming back in a Game 6.
The Timberwolves took control of the series in Game 3, when they suffocated the Warriors offense in the fourth quarter and then followed it up with another professional performance two nights later to take this commanding lead.
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In a way, they were paying the best homage to the Warriors with their approach, the appropriate fear.
“They’re no longer in their dynastic phase, I would say. But the era of Golden State basketball is still rolling on and very, very relevant,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said. “When they’ve not been at the top in the last number of years, a lot of injury driven, which has been unfortunate for them.
“But it’s incredible what they’ve done and what they’ve built and what they’ve accomplished and in doing so, really also many ways changed how the game is played.”
A lot of discussion will revolve around “if.” If Curry was healthy. But when your foundation is around a 37-year-old, injury has to be baked in because that’s what happens to a soon-to-be 38-year old — you just hope it doesn’t happen this time of year.
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“I know we had a shot. I know we could’ve gone the distance,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “But it doesn’t matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot, you know. Are you playing well at the right time? Do you have multiple guys step up in key games, make shots, and do you have good health?”
Draymond Green, a champion who helped fuel the Warriors dynasty, now faces what comes after. (Photo by Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
(Ellen Schmidt via Getty Images)
Without the last one, there’s no point in asking the first two questions, especially if it’s Curry’s health that’s in question. The Timberwolves didn’t run out of good players while it seemed like the Warriors had more than a few who need more playoff seasoning — some simply looked out of element, and the roster has to be built to fit around the vets’ needs, especially Curry’s.
This is their lot. Green will be 36 shortly after next year’s All-Star break, Butler will turn…
Vincent Goodwill
