Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards got the job done on Saturday.
Randle recorded the first Timberwolves triple-double in a playoff series since 2004, while Edwards poured in 36 points to lead Minnesota to a 102-97 win over Golden State, giving the Wolves a 2-1 series lead.
Edwards shot 46 percent from the field and added four assists and a block. With 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists, Randle became the first Minnesota player in 21 years to record a playoff triple-double. He also added three steals.
Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga combined for 63 of the Warriors’ 97 points, but the duo went cold in the fourth quarter as the Timberwolves surged back to steal Game 3.
Fans lit up social media as Randle and Edwards put on a show to take control of the series.
Leading by four with 1:19 remaining in the fourth, Edwards drilled a dagger second-chance 3-pointer off a Randle assist, stretching the lead to a two-possession game and crushing the Warriors’ hopes of a comeback.
After the win, Edwards praised Randle for his triple-double performance.
“He’s big time, man. He’s came through every game for us in the playoffs this year,” Edwards told reporters. “The way he’s finding people and getting us open, even myself, getting me open looks, I can’t ask for nothing better.”
Minnesota will look to ride its momentum into Game 4 of the Western Conference semifinals on Monday, holding a 2-1 series lead with no Curry expected in the Golden State lineup once again.
