Buddy Hield’s use of “air quotes” — as teammates can humorously attest — might be slightly questionable, but when topics shift to launching accurate trifectas during must-win playoff games, Golden State’s first-year sharpshooter often comes equipped with every answer. Intent on following his 33-point Game Seven in Houston with something similar during the series opener in Minnesota, Hield conducts a clinic in off-ball relocation, migrating to a wide-open corner after a drive-and-kick. The end result, as expected, was a spot-on 3-pointer, guiding Hield’s path to a 22-point second half after nearly going scoreless over the first two quarters. The outburst helped keep the Golden State Warriors’ selfless, pass-and-cut heavy philosophy in play, even with perhaps basketball’s greatest off-ball creator hamstrung by injury. The game’s No. 1 scorer by buzzer’s sound, Hield closed through a 24-point, eight-rebound, three-assist, one-steal, five-triple contribution, alongside 3.28 miles traveled — 2024-25’s leader, for reference, averaged 2.89 per game — during May 6, 2025’s upset of the Minnesota Timberwolves. · May 7, 2025