In this game, Butler was nearly powerless under McDan’s tight defense. Even though he took 9 shots and made 5, the physical pressure and screens from his opponents left him struggling, preventing him from leading the offense.
Role Players Go Cold
With Curry out, Hield, Poole, and Payton II were expected to ignite the attack—but all three “lost their touch.” Their string of missed shots left the Warriors completely dead in the water in the third quarter, disrupting any offensive rhythm.
Defensive Breakdowns
Golden State’s perimeter defense collapsed again. Facing Minnesota’s pick-and-roll, the Warriors’ defenders were consistently late in providing help and then left shooters wide open on rotations. With Edwards “on fire,” their defense was utterly overmatched, allowing the Timberwolves to seize control.
Questionable Rotation Choices by Coach Kerr
In garbage time, Moody and Poole checked in and knocked down several threes, narrowing the gap. Yet Kerr continued to trust the less effective Poole and Bazemore. Next game, he should adjust his rotation—allocate more minutes to in-form players (e.g., Looney) to bolster rim protection and overall defense.
