There was a line of thinking that Jimmy Butler didn't put his foot on the gas in Golden State's Game 2 loss to the Timberwolves because he was saving up his energy for Game 3 at home, when the Warriors were likely to have their best shot to steal the one win they need in this series to stay afloat until Stephen Curry can potentially get back.

And while Green's impact can't often be entirely, or even accurately, judged based on the traditional box score, his defense was also an issue Saturday. Forward Julius Randle put up a triple-double for Minnesota, the first Timberwolves player to do so in a playoff game since Kevin Garnett in 2004.

Golden State W a rriors fans haven’t yet seen the version of Jimmy Butler who nearly led the Miami Heat to a title in 2023. Instead, Butler has been playing a well-rounded team-first brand of basketball.