Player grades: Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2

Assessing every Golden State player’s performance from the team’s 117-93 loss to Minnesota.

To nobody’s surprise, the Golden State Warriors lost Game 2 to the Minnesota Timberwolves, evening their Western Conference Semifinals series at one game apiece. There are multiple ways to feel about the loss. On the pessimistic side, the Dubs lost 117-93, and Steph Curry ain’t walking through that door anytime soon. On the optimistic side, they quickly fell behind by a huge margin, and essentially played the Timberwolves even for the final 40 minutes, giving reason to believe they can win Game 3 or 4.

Now let’s grade the players, which is a difficult task given that they’re all in a sub-optimal position with Curry injured. As always, grades are based on my expectations for each player, with a “B” grade representing the average performance for that player.

Note: True-shooting percentage (TS) is a scoring efficiency metric that accounts for threes and free throws. League-average TS this season was 57.6%.

Jimmy Butler III

34 minutes, 17 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-13 shooting, 2-for-4 threes, 3-for-5 free throws, 55.9% TS, -4

Here is the uncomfortable reality: the Warriors need more from Butler if they want to win with Curry sidelined. They just do.

It wasn’t a bad game, per se, but it was not the Playoff Jimmy performance that the Warriors need to tread water. It was a performance that would be perfectly fine if he were the second-best player on the team, which he’s supposed to be. But he’s the best player on the team while Curry is out, and his performance needs to reflect that.

He did a lot of good things, but he was just way too passive. He wasn’t looking for his shot enough. He wasn’t attacking enough, and when he was, he usually wasn’t trying to finish. I’d like him to have at least 20 shots and 10 free throws next game.

Perhaps he was passive because his injury is lingering, perhaps he just wasn’t having a good day, or perhaps the Wolves were just playing him well. Either way, he needs to be better on Saturday, and I expect that he will.

Grade: C
Post-game bonus: Led the team in rebounds.

Draymond Green

29 minutes, 9 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 3-for-10 shooting, 1-for-6 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 41.4% TS, -3

Green was good on defense, and helped lead a defensive performance that was at times masterful. He was fine playmaking, and whatever scoring.

But I can’t give him a good grade. He picked up another technical foul in the second quarter for an elbow to Naz Reid’s face, and showed so much rage arguing against the (very properly called) technical nearly got him ejected.

The Warriors still had a chance to win, and Green almost cost them that chance. And they still have a chance to go deep in the playoffs, but he’s nearing suspension territory.

After the big talk going into Game 7, this was a disappointment, and it could come back to hurt the team.

Grade: C-

Quinten Post

3 minutes, 0 points, -13

Post got the start. He left a few minutes later when the Warriors hadn’t scored yet. He didn’t return.

I’m guessing he won’t be starting on Saturday.

Grade: C-

Buddy Hield

29 minutes, 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-for-14 shooting, 4-for-9 threes, 1-for-1 free throws, 51.9% TS, -9

Hield didn’t score efficiently, but I’m not concerned about that. With Curry out, he’s not going to get a lot of clean looks, and the Warriors aren’t going to score efficiently. They just need constant pressure and attacking, and Buddy provided that.

He played solid defense on Anthony Edwards, brought loads of energy, and made a few clutch shots when the team was making a run. This game looks bad compared to the heroic performance he played in the last two, but I don’t have any issues with it.

Grade: B+

Brandin Podziemski

33 minutes, 11 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 2 turnovers, 4-for-9 shooting, 1-for-4 threes, 2-for-2 free throws, 55.7% TS, +1

Podz sneakily had a pretty good game. His jump shot is in a world of hurt at the moment, but he was the team’s best playmaker and still found a way to score a decent amount on average efficiency. He played good defense and most importantly, mixed things up a bit, which I think is necessary in order to win in Game 3 or 4.

Grade: B+
Post-game bonus: Led the team in assists, best plus/minus on the team.

Gary Payton II

11 minutes, 0 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal, 0-for-2 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 0.0% TS, -13

I thought Payton would play more than this with Curry out. He didn’t do much with his minutes, though.

Grade: C

Moses Moody

16 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 0-for-5 shooting, 0-for-4 threes, 3-for-4 free throws, 22.2% TS, -13

Oof. I don’t have much else to say. Oof.

Moody has been struggling lately, and this game was one of the roughest in that stretch. In his defense, his shooting wasn’t as bad as it looks, as he had back-to-back possessions where he had to force up a wild shot with the shot clock expiring when the offense was broken.

But ... it’s just a grim scene right now. He looks lost on offense. He looks lost on defense. He can’t shoot. He’s making mistakes. He’s barely playable.

I’m sure he’ll get minutes in Game 3, but I would assume his leash will be very, very short.

Grade: D

Jonathan Kuminga

26 minutes, 18 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 turnovers, 1 foul, 8-for-11 shooting, 1-for-3 threes, 1-for-4 free throws, 70.5% TS, -8

Kuminga was the lone offensive bright spot in the first half, and that earned him a spot in the starting lineup in the second half. And then he was the biggest reason that the Dubs went on a run to cut the deficit to seven, and briefly get in the game.

He not only played very well, but showed that the starting lineup can work with him in it, which was the big concern. I’d expect him to start on Saturday. Even if he doesn’t, he’ll play a very big role. His scoring in isolation, transition, and cutting is absolutely necessary right now for a Curry-less offense. They’ll need him to reprise this role on Saturday, and I’m optimistic that he can.

Grade: A
Post-game bonus: Led the team in points.

Kevon Looney

3 minutes, 0 points, -10

I’ll be honest, I did not have Looney and Post playing a combined six minutes in this game. It just wasn’t a game for Looney’s skillset, and the Warriors made that determination quickly.

Grade: C-

Pat Spencer

14 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 0-for-2 shooting, 0.0% TS, -20

Spencer provided aggression and energy, which was good. He didn’t provide anything else though, as he couldn’t score, couldn’t get separation, and got cooked on defense.

Grade: C
Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.

Gui Santos

8 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, -4

Kind of a funny game for Santos. He brought a lot of energy, and it showed off with activity on the glass, some good passes, and some really nice defensive possessions. He also played out of control, as evidenced by the three turnovers in just eight minutes. Not his best work.

Grade: C

Kevin Knox II

9 minutes, 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1 foul, 1-for-3 shooting, 0-for-1 threes, 1-for-2 free throws, 38.7% TS, -6

I didn’t expect Knox to get minutes in this game, but Steve Kerr really gave everyone a chance. Knox played fine for someone who hasn’t been getting any run lately, but he certainly didn’t do anything to earn a role in Game 3.

Grade: B-

Trayce Jackson-Davis

19 minutes, 15 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 4 fouls, 6-for-6 shooting, 3-for-5 free throws, 91.5% TS, -15

TJD proved the center to play in this game instead of Post or Looney. Didn’t see that coming!

But Jackson-Davis played awesome basketball. He was relentless attacking the rim, providing the Dubs with a rim-rolling threat that they were desperate for. He also played quality defense and grabbed a lot of rebounds. I still think Kuminga, rather than TJD, will start on Saturday, but I expect Jackson-Davis to get a lot of run. He earned it.

Grade: A

Braxton Key

4 minutes, 2 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 1-for-1 shooting, 100.0% TS, -3

Hey, Key finally played. He was the mystery man in Game 1 ... he got announced and stepped on the floor, but it was to replace Hield, who was mistakenly removed during a free throw gaffe. That got figured out, and Key went back to the bench, with his presence stricken from the record.

But he actually played in this one. Mostly in garbage time, but still.

Grade: B+

Thursday’s inactive: Steph Curry