Warriors' Buddy Hield Quick Change of Clothes Sparks Game 1 Drama Against Timberwolves

Throughout most of the season, including large parts of the initial playoff stage, Golden State’s point guard Buddy Hield was recognized for his shooting skills and positive team dynamics. The friendly Bahamian player was playfully presented to Stephen Curry by coach Steve Kerr near the end of the regular season, serving as a lighthearted nudge from Kerr about occasionally distributing the ball more often.

During the Rockets series, even though Jimmy Butler missed Game 3 and the Warriors still secured a victory, he shared a photo with a caption expressing gratitude to Curry and all the Warriors for the win but excluded "Buddy" from his thanks.

However, during Game 7 of the Houston series at the Rockets’ home court, Hield was unstoppable, racking up 33 points with an impressive shooting performance of 12 for 15.

Getting into the zone feels incredibly spiritual," Hield stated. "It’s just about you, the hoop, the net, and the ball; you're deciphering it all. Occasionally, once you throw it up, it keeps going in. That sense of calm with your play is what it really means.

On Tuesday, apparently, Hield was elsewhere mentally. As he prepared for what could be the biggest game of his career—given that this marks his first time advancing past the first round of the playoffs—he walked out of the locker room with an apparent clothing issue.

He had the wrong shorts on. The Timberwolves bench pointed it out.

TNT play-by-play man Brian Anderson said, "Here's what you missed, Buddy Hield, it was the Minnesota bench that pointed that out knowing that that's not allowed. Got hit with a delay of game, and Buddy Hield had to change his shorts."

Anderson inquired of his broadcasting partner, Stan Van Gundy, whether he had ever observed that issue from a player before.

“Has not,” Van Gundy stated.

The Warriors took an early advantage against the frigid-shooting Timberwolves at the beginning of the series, yet they remain concerned since Stephen Curry seemed to strain his hamstring.