Steve Kerr’s strange tactical plan for the Warriors

The Golden State Warriors couldn’t get much going against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2 of the NBA Western Conference semifinals. With the series tied 1-1, the Timberwolves controlled the game from start to finish at the Target Center, cruising to a 117–93 win. The Warriors clearly struggled without Stephen Curry, forcing head coach Steve Kerr to dig deep into his bench.

In fact, Kerr used all 14 available players before the first half ended — a rare move in the playoffs. According to ESPN Stats & Info, it was the first time a team had done so in a postseason game since 1998.

In his postgame press conference, Kerr said this was part of the game plan from the beginning, as the team is still adjusting to life without Curry for the remainder of the series.

“Our plan going into it was to play multiple guys, and we did that. I think we played 14 guys in the first half,” Kerr said. “Part of the reasoning is fatigue from traveling and playing games. Another part is that we have to figure out what we’re going to do in this series without Steph. We gave guys a lot of opportunities, and some stepped up — like Trayce (Jackson-Davis) and JK (Jonathan Kuminga), who were really good tonight.”

“Draymond Green needs to keep his composure”

Kuminga led the Warriors with 18 points, adding five rebounds and an assist. Jackson-Davis logged nearly 20 minutes (19:18) and contributed 15 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block. Even deep-bench players like Gui Santos, Kevin Knox, and Braxton Key saw action in Game 2.

In the second quarter, Draymond Green was assessed a technical foul for elbowing Naz Reid. Kerr pulled him shortly after to prevent further escalation. The coach acknowledged that while Green’s intensity is part of what makes him great, he needs to stay under control.

“He’s going to have to stay composed. Obviously, we need that, and I’m sure he will, because he understands the situation we’re in,” Kerr said. “That’s part of Draymond — it’s what makes him such a fierce competitor and a winner — but sometimes it crosses the line. It’s our job to help him keep his composure, but competition means so much to him that it occasionally spills over.”

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Green currently has five technical fouls and two flagrant fouls in the postseason. If he picks up two more of either, he will face a playoff suspension.

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