NBA: Stars sit out as Wolves earn split of pair against Warriors

Julius Randle led the Minnesota Timberwolves with 18 points as the team pulled away for a convincing 108-83 win over the Golden State Warriors on Monday night, splitting the two-game mini-series between the teams.

Bones Hyland provided a strong boost off the bench with 17 points, helping Minnesota snap a season-high five-game losing streak. Rudy Gobert contributed 15 points and 17 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo added 15 points and eight assists, making 5-of-9 from beyond the arc.

Quinten Post led Golden State with 13 points. Brandin Podziemski scored 12 points, and Gui Santos recorded a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Minnesota shot 45.7% overall (37 of 81) and 40% from three-point range (14 of 35). The Warriors struggled offensively, shooting 34.7% overall (33 of 95) and just 23.1% from long distance (9 of 39).

The Timberwolves dominated the second quarter, outscoring Golden State 32-18 to take a 53-38 lead into halftime. Minnesota closed the first half with a seven-point run, capped by a free throw from Gobert and six points from Randle.

The Warriors fell further behind in the second half. In the third quarter, Jaden McDaniels capped a 7-0 run with a driving layup and a 3-pointer, pushing the Timberwolves ahead 69-50 with 3:47 remaining in the period. DiVincenzo later hit a 3-pointer that extended Minnesota’s lead to 100-68 with 5:26 left in the game.

Both teams were missing key players, but Golden State was especially short-handed.

The Timberwolves were without top scorer Anthony Edwards, who sat out due to “right foot injury maintenance.” Edwards participated in pregame warmups and is expected to return Wednesday when Minnesota faces the Dallas Mavericks.

Golden State played without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on the second night of a back-to-back. Curry rested because of lingering knee soreness, while Green was sidelined with back soreness. Coach Steve Kerr said he expects both players to be available for Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City.

The Warriors also rested veterans Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton after they played in the first game of the series. Golden State remains without Jimmy Butler III and Jonathan Kuminga due to knee injuries.

—Field Level Media/Reuters