In a thrilling contest on Wednesday night, Stephen Curry’s impressive performance, featuring seven 3-pointers and a total of 31 points, propelled the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 116-115 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Andrew Wiggins also contributed significantly to the win for the Warriors, scoring 24 points. This match was particularly crucial for a Warriors squad that was looking to bounce back after slipping below the .500 mark following a loss to Toronto earlier in the week.
The Timberwolves fought hard throughout the game, with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo leading their scoring efforts, each finishing with 28 points. Despite falling behind by as much as 24 points late in the first quarter, the Timberwolves managed to tie the game at 108 with just over a minute left on the clock.
Things took a turn when Gary Payton II found himself caught in a backcourt trap, leading to an easy layup by DiVincenzo that narrowed the score to 113-112 with just 12.1 seconds remaining. DiVincenzo fouled Payton immediately after, and although Payton missed his second free throw attempt, Wiggins claimed the rebound, allowing Curry to seal the deal with two successful free throw shots.
Observations from the game revealed several factors at play. The Warriors were shorthanded, missing key players Draymond Green (illness), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), and Kyle Anderson (hamstring). Despite their absence, the team managed to build a significant 26-5 lead, aided by shooting 8-for-12 from beyond the arc early on. The performance was essential for the Warriors, especially after Green had recently commented on the team’s struggle to preserve its competitive spirit.
Conversely, the Timberwolves appeared sluggish at the start, raising concerns about their consistency. They missed their first eight shot attempts, leaving their fans waiting over four minutes before they could score their first points.
A pivotal moment came when DiVincenzo hit his sixth 3-pointer of the night with just over two minutes left, pulling Minnesota within two points for the fourth time late in the game. The Wolves’ standout performance featured DiVincenzo not only reaching his season high in points but also dishing out nine assists.
Statistically, the Timberwolves had a tough first quarter, recording only 12 points, marking their lowest output for any quarter this season, as well as the fewest points the Warriors have allowed in a single quarter this year.
Looking ahead, the Warriors are set to face the Washington Wizards this Saturday, while the Timberwolves will head to New York for a matchup on Friday.
