Ex-NBA Champion Reacts to Buddy Hield's Play in Warriors-Wolves Game 1

Former New Orleans Pelicans center Kendrick Perkins reacted to Buddy Hield's play in Warriors-Timberwolves Game 1

Apr 13, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) watches the play against the LA Clippers during the second quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images | Robert Edwards-Imagn Images

The Golden State Warriors made a massive statement on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals, winning 99-88. In a game that saw the Warriors in control for nearly all 48 minutes, Golden State stole home-court advantage as the lower seed.

Stephen Curry exited the game early due to a hamstring injury, but former New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield stepped up in a major way, putting up 24 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 7-of-19 shooting from the field, knocking down five threes in the process.

Hield's play did not go unnoticed. Kendrick Perkins, another former Pelican, took to X to react to the 32-year-old's performance. The NBA analyst noted how impactful the Warriors organization can be on a veteran like Hield.

It’s amazing what a winning Culture can do for a player. Buddy Hield has been a completely different player on both ends of the floor this postseason
— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) May 7, 2025

"It’s amazing what a winning Culture can do for a player," Perkins said. "Buddy Hield has been a completely different player on both ends of the floor this postseason."

Hield is averaging 12.5 points this postseason, but came up clutch when it mattered. In Game 7 of Golden State's first-round series against the Houston Rockets, he put up an incredible 33 points, missing just three shots in a game where it took an entire half for Curry to get it going.

The Warriors will play Game 2 at the Target Center before heading home to the Chase for Games 3 and 4. Wednesday night's win was a major step, bringing Golden State one step closer to its first Western Conference Finals appearance since 2022.

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