Warriors take Game 1 despite Curry’s early exit due to injury
The Golden State Warriors took Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 99-88, on Wednesday, May 7 (PH time) at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
Despite losing Stephen Curry early in the second quarter due to a hamstring injury, the Warriors found a way to grind out a crucial road win. Curry never returned to the game, and his status for Game 2 remains uncertain, depending on the severity of the injury.
With their superstar sidelined, the Warriors leaned on the trio of Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green to step up and deliver.
Hield finished with 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and one steal, providing consistent scoring throughout the contest. Butler nearly had a triple-double with 20 markers, 11 boards, eight dimes, and two deflections, leading by example on both ends of the floor. Green also rose to the occasion, ending up with 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals in a strong all-around performance.
On the other side, Anthony Edwards once again led the Timberwolves with 23 markers and 14 boards, continuing his solid postseason run. Naz Reid contributed 19 points and five rebounds off the bench, bringing energy and scoring when Minnesota needed it most.
Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels also added 18 and 12 points, respectively, but their efforts weren’t enough to turn the tide.
Minnesota held a narrow two-point edge at the end of the first period, but Golden State flipped the script in the second and third quarters. The Warriors outscored the Timberwolves with a combined 62-40 advantage in those middle frames, taking control of the game heading into the fourth. The Wolves made a late push, but only managed to trim the deficit to 11 at the final buzzer.
With the Warriors drawing first blood in the series, Game 2 is set for the same venue on Friday, May 9 (PH time), where the Timberwolves will look to bounce back and even the series.
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The East Asia Super League (EASL) is officially set to raise the curtain on its new season with a twin opening in Taipei and Tokyo on October 8, 2025 — a move that reflects the league’s expanding reach and growing stature as Asia’s premier basketball competition.
All eyes in Taiwan will be on the Taipei Heping Basketball Gymnasium, which will host a blockbuster doubleheader featuring some of the region’s most decorated clubs.
The action tips off with a clash between the B.LEAGUE champions Utsunomiya Brex and the P. LEAGUE+ runners-up Taipei Fubon Braves. Utsunomiya, led by veteran guard Makoto Hiejima, entered as one of Japan’s most successful franchises. The Braves, meanwhile, look to prove their resilience after falling short in a grueling seven-game finals series last season, banking on the leadership of Chinese Taipei legend Lin Chih-Chieh.
The second game of the night brings a rematch between the P. LEAGUE+ champions Taoyuan Pauian Pilots and Japan’s Ryukyu Golden Kings. Their last encounter came in the 2025 EASL Final Four semifinals, where Taoyuan stunned Ryukyu, 71–64. This time, the Golden Kings are eager for redemption, while the Pilots hope to reaffirm their place among Asia’s elite.
Game schedule (HKT):
- Utsunomiya vs. Taipei Fubon – 6:30 PM
- Taoyuan vs. Ryukyu – 8:30 PM
China came within a single basket of toppling Oceania powerhouse Australia in the FIBA Asia Cup final, bowing 90-89 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, but sending a clear message that it remains a force in Asian basketball.
The Chinese squad, bannered by Hu Mingxuan and Hu Jinqiu, led by as many as 15 points through three quarters before faltering in the final minutes against the defending champions. Despite the heartbreaking loss, the performance was a reminder of China’s proud basketball heritage and its potential return to continental supremacy.
Gilas Pilipinas advanced to the 2025 FIBA Asia Cup quarterfinals after triumphing over host nation Saudi Arabia in a tense 95-88 overtime victory on Monday, August 11 (Tuesday, August 12 in Manila) at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.
Justin Brownlee once again showed his ‘Never Say Die’ attitude after drilling a contested three-pointer with 3.7 seconds left to force the extra period. He went on to finish with 29 points, five assists, and four rebounds, paving the way for a quarterfinal showdown with two-time defending champion Australia on Wednesday, August 13.
Brownlee’s heroics set the stage for Kevin Quiambao, who buried two triples in OT to complete a 17-point performance alongside three dimes and three deflections.
"It was a special game, it was a special performance from both teams," said head coach Tim Cone. "They (Saudi Arabia) posed a lot of problems for us, and by all rights, they had the game won — except for the guy sitting to my right (Brownlee). If you know his history, that’s not unusual. He’s been hitting big shots."
AJ Edu anchored the middle with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and four assists, while Dwight Ramos chipped in 13 markers, 10 boards, three dimes, and a rejection.
Beyond Brownlee’s late-game magic, the Philippines secured the win by neutralizing Saudi Arabia’s high-scoring duo of Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman and Mohammed Alsuwailem in the extra frame.
Abdur-Rahkman erupted for 33 points on 8-of-14 shooting from deep, while Alsuwailem tallied 26 points, 14 rebounds, and three blocks — but the two combined for only five points in OT as Gilas closed the door on the hosts’ upset bid.
The Scores:
Philippines 95 – Brownlee 29, Edu 17, Quiambao 17, Ramos 13, Fajardo 6, Tamayo 5, Thompson 4, Newsome 4, Malonzo 0, Perez 0, Aguilar 0.
Saudi Arabia 88 – Abdur-Rahkman 33, Alsuwailem 26, Almuwallad 10, Abdel Gabar 8, Ma. Almarwani 4, Belal 3, Kadi 3, Mo. Almarwani 1, Shubayli 0.
Quarters: 25-15, 40-37, 60-59, 79-79 (reg.), 95-88 (OT).