Bold takeaway: Curry’s triumphant 39 points couldn’t save a shorthanded Warriors, as the Timberwolves edged them 127-120 in a back-and-forth affair that featured 27 lead changes. But here’s where it gets controversial: Minnesota still won despite missing Anthony Edwards, spotlighting how depth and late-game execution can outlast even a returning superstar.
In a game full of grit, Rudy Gobert dominated with 24 points and 14 boards, while Donte DiVincenzo delivered a timely 3-pointer with 28 seconds left to seal the win for Minnesota. Stephen Curry came back strong for Golden State, pouring in 39 points after a five-game absence due to a bruised left quadriceps. He connected on six triples and provided a scoring spark, yet the Wolves clung to the lead down the stretch.
Key contributions came from Julius Randle (27 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists) and Naz Reid off the bench (18 points, 7 assists). For Golden State, Quinten Post had 16 points, and Jimmy Butler added 15 points and 8 rebounds but couldn’t prevent the defeat.
The game was a microcosm of the season so far: a balanced, high-stakes clash with 27 lead changes—the second-most in the NBA this season—played with two notable injuries on each side (Edwards out for Minnesota; Green out for Golden State).
Momentum swung several times. Minnesota surged to start the fourth with a 20-7 burst, stretching the lead to 10 with five minutes left. Curry and Moses Moody answered with back-to-back 3s to trim the gap to 108-104. Golden State briefly climbed ahead 118-117 after Curry’s free throw with 1:37 left, but Gobert delivered a go-ahead dunk, and DiVincenzo hit a decisive 3 with 28 seconds remaining, finishing a 10-2 Wolves run to seal it.
Curry’s return was a bright spot: he shot 14-for-28 from the field, including 6-for-11 from beyond the arc, and played 32 minutes. Yet the Wolves’ late-game resilience and the depth of Minnesota’s lineup made the difference.
Upcoming schedules:
- Timberwolves host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
- Warriors visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday.
New perspectives and questions for readers: Does Minnesota’s win without Edwards redefine how we view the team’s ceiling this season, or does it simply reflect the parity and depth across the league? With Curry back to form, how should Golden State balance star power with role-player contributions in tight games? Share your thoughts in the comments: do you believe Edwards’ absence will have a longer-term impact on Minnesota, or can the Wolves sustain this level of play with their depth?
