Timberwolves Lead Warriors 56-39 at Halftime Despite Edwards Injury

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — The Minnesota Timberwolves lead the Golden State Warriors 56-39 at halftime in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals, despite star player Anthony Edwards suffering an ankle injury. Edwards, who is questionable to return, made a strong entrance for the second half but exited the locker room limp with visible pain.

The Timberwolves got off to a promising start, with Edwards contributing to their lead until he crumpled to the floor after a collision with Trayce Jackson-Davis. The incident took place while Edwards attempted a shot, causing concern among fans as he clutched his left ankle.

“He experienced a left ankle sprain and will be reevaluated,” the Timberwolves announced shortly after his departure. “It’s tough to see a teammate go down in the playoffs.”

While the Warriors started slow, scoring 39 points in the first half, Jimmy Butler tried to lift their spirits. The former Timberwolf struggled initially but opened the scoring for Golden State. They still appeared to struggle offensively, adjusting to life without Stephen Curry. The Timberwolves capitalized on their defensive efforts and improved shooting after a disappointing Game 1.

The Timberwolves led by as many as 22 before halftime, showcasing better 3-point shooting and strong rebounding. The crowd at Target Center reacted dramatically to each play, with cheers when Minnesota scored and concerned murmurs when Edwards went down.

Rudy Gobert‘s performance was subpar on offense, but he managed to grab seven rebounds in the first half. The game’s tempo saw the Warriors attempting to regroup, calling for rotation changes to adapt.

Despite the Warriors’ efforts to narrow the gap, Golden State’s Draymond Green received a technical foul late in the second quarter, adding pressure on the visiting team. The referee made the call following a heated exchange between Green and the officials.

As halftime ended, all eyes will be on Edwards as the Timberwolves look to extend their lead and equalize the series against the Warriors, who lead 1-0. Coach Chris Finch’s approach in the second half may hinge on Edwards’ ability to return.