SAN FRANCISCO — The Minnesota Timberwolves triumphed over the Golden State Warriors with a score of 107-90 on Friday night, led by Anthony Edwards who netted 30 points and dished out nine assists. This matchup marks the first of two encounters scheduled between the two teams this weekend.
Stephen Curry made his return to the court for the Warriors after resting during a recent game against Houston due to knee discomfort. He managed to score 23 points in this outing. Curry’s three-pointer with 10:38 left in the game brought the Warriors closer, reducing the Timberwolves’ lead to just three points at 80-77. However, Golden State continued to experience difficulties managing the basketball and struggled to secure crucial defensive stops.
Rudy Gobert contributed significantly for Minnesota, finishing the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The T-Wolves will remain in San Francisco to compete once more on Sunday at the Chase Center.
Draymond Green also returned to action after sitting out the previous game due to calf tightness. Playtime shifts often see Green on the second unit as coach Steve Kerr rotates veteran players in the lineup. He ended the game with 10 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, but also accrued his seventh technical foul of the season during the match.
In terms of performance trends, the Timberwolves have demonstrated dominance in their recent encounters with the Warriors, winning the last five games in their series, and securing four straight victories at the Chase Center after breaking a 12-game losing streak on the Warriors’ home turf. Minnesota excelled in rebounding during the first half, boasting a 27-19 advantage and leading 56-46 by halftime.
For the Warriors, the second quarter saw a dismal performance, scoring only four points within the first nine minutes and managing just five successful shots out of 19 attempts during that period.
One pivotal moment occurred when Gary Payton II made a layup following a pass from Curry that would have cut Minnesota’s lead to seven points with only 1:18 left in the third quarter. However, the Timberwolves challenged the play, and the basket was overturned to an offensive foul, negating the chance for a comeback.
In terms of statistics, Curry’s scoring began with a 19-foot shot from the floor where he was fouled and converted the resulting free throw, completing a three-point play with just 32 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Despite struggling early, missing his first four attempts from beyond the arc, Curry finished the night with three successful three-pointers out of nine tries.
