The Golden State Warriors might have lost Stephen Curry, but Buddy Hield took over the game for the franchise. He scored points in buckets and shook off his shoddy form, repeating a Game 7 Houston Rockets-like performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Warriors won 99-88 to take a 1-0 lead in the series.
With Curry out with a hamstring strain, Hield, Jimmy Butler III, and Draymond Green had to step up, and they certainly did that. The Warriors could appreciate Hield for his three-point shooting and his movement off the ball to create space to get open looks.
He also played tight defense on the Timberwolves players in an all-action-packed performance. Those fan criticisms worked wonders for Hield, who now looks like a different player.
So, let’s explore Hield’s performance and the head-to-head stats against the Timberwolves. With Curry out, they need players to step up until he returns.
Buddy Hield vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Game 1 Stats
| Minutes | Points | Rebounds | Assists | FG% | 3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39:59 | 24 | 8 | 3 | 7/19 | 5/8 |
Hield vs. Timberwolves: How Did Hield Perform in Game 1?
With Curry out of the game, the Warriors players, including Hield, looked startled. The three-point champion didn’t shoot well in the first half, going 0-7 and having zero points. He didn’t knock down the obvious three-pointers and floundered with his shooting rhythm.
But he did a fine job on the defensive end. The player guarded Anthony Edwards to perfection, restricting him to just 23 points. And those 23 points don’t paint the entire picture for the Timberwolves’ star player. However, it became an unusual story in the second half.
The player knocked down some crucial three-pointers to give the Warriors a 23-point lead at one point during the game. He also had seven rebounds and three assists, displaying his all-around game during the match.
The player shot 5/8 three-pointers in the game and ended the game with 24 points, leading the Warriors’ scoring charts, yet again.
Buddy Hield vs. Timberwolves: Head-to-Head Career Stats
Hield has been a great three-point shooter in his career. He won the 2020 NBA three-point contest and established himself as one of the best in the league from beyond the arc. The player averaged 4.0 made three-pointers during the 2020-21 season with the Sacramento Kings. Likewise, he’s had a fine time against the Timberwolves throughout his career.
Facing the Timberwolves 26 times in his career, Hield averaged 16.3 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists and shot 40.6% from beyond the arc. Those numbers signify Hield’s three-point shooting prowess for whoever he plays.
Likewise, he didn’t have an impressive performance against the Rockets in the first six games. He averages 7.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists with a 29.0% from beyond the arc. But in Game 7, he had 33 points and exploded to life as he carried it out in Game 1 against the Timberwolves.
Hield’s last 10 games vs. the Timberwolves
- November 17, 2021 – 16 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts
- February 13, 2022 – 13 pts, 8 rebs, 1 asts
- November 23, 2022 – 13 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts
- December 07, 2022 – 26 pts, 3 rebs, 1 asts
- December 16, 2023 – 0 pts, 1 rebs, 2 asts
- December 06, 2024 – 4 pts, 3 rebs, 0 asts
- December 08, 2024 – 27 pts, 4 rebs, 2 asts
- December 21, 2024 – 11 pts, 3 rebs, 2 asts
- January 15, 2025 – 18 pts, 1 rebs, 0 asts
- May 06, 2025 – 24 pts, 8 rebs, 3 asts
READ: Buddy Hield Makes NBA History After Dominant 33-PT Game vs. Rockets To Qualify for Round 2
