Minnesota Timberwolves Hand Golden State Warriors Third Straight Loss

The Minnesota Timberwolves handed the Golden State Warriors their third straight loss last night, winning 116-110. The Wolves are one of the hottest teams in the league, coming into last night’s game 6-2 with wins over the Celtics, Nuggets, and Heat. Led by one of the youngest budding superstars in the league Anthony Edwards, and a big frontcourt with Karl Anthony-Towns and Rudy Gobert, the Warriors had their hands full. It is worth mentioning that the Dubs were on the second night of a back to back so legs may have been tired but that’s never an excuse, it’s the NBA and you’re expected to produce at a high level every night.

Draymond Green got the Warriors on the board with a corner three off an assist from Curry. Green is actually connecting on around 45% of three pointers this season, which is exceptional and would be incredible if he could sustain this throughout the season as his career three point percentage is just 31%. Back to the game, veteran point guard Mike Conley came right back with a three of his own before Steph swished a step back middy. A few minutes later KAT and Curry traded threes and the Warriors were down 12-10 midway through the first. After a timeout, Virginia Tech product Nickeil Alexander-Walker got a three to fall before Klay hit a nice step back. Klay then hit another big three to give the Warriors a 21-19 lead before Kuminga scored four straight extending the lead to six. But a KAT and-1 and Kyle Anderson easy bucket tied the game. With two seconds left Naz Reid threw an errant pass and Curry got an easy layup to give the Warriors a 31-29 lead at the end of one. Curry finished the first with a game high 13 points. The first two minutes of the second was all Golden State as they jumped out to a 38-30 lead highlighted by a Dario Saric long ball. However the Wolves clamped down from that point forward, allowing only 13 points the rest of the quarter. Naz Reid rained in a rainbow three and Rudy Gobert got inside and flushed one home to knot the score up at 40 apiece. Edwards started feeling it a few minutes later with several nifty buckets and a couple free throws, but it was Curry again at the end of the quarter with the clock winding now sinking a floater and getting fouled in the process. He hit the bonus free throw and the Dubs went into the locker room down 54-51. 

Jaden McDaniels came out the gates hot to start the second half pouring in a quick seven points to give the Wolves a five point advantage. Green came back down the court and attacked the rim for an easy two, then he found Wiggins cutting to the rim for another easy two a few possessions later, cutting the lead to 65-62. Over the next several minutes the Warriors couldn’t get the lid off the basket and the Wolves capitalized, taking a 78-65 lead after a 13-3 run. It was KAT who led the charge, nailing a three and getting some easy looks inside. Curry finally drilled a 30 footer to stop the bleeding but Minnesota had already hit its stride and was pulling away. Anthony Edwards hit a smooth mid range jumper sandwiched by two Kyle Anderson buckets and by the end of the third, Minnesota had control of the game, leading 89-73. The Wolves looked like they were going to run away with it and seal the deal as with just over seven minutes remaining, the Warriors still trailed by 16, but the splash brothers had other plans. Klay hit a pair of free throws, Steph drilled a three, then hit five straight free throws after getting fouled on two shots. The issue was, while the Warriors were scoring, they weren’t getting stops. With under three minutes on the clock, the Wolves held a 104-94 lead. Anthony Edwards scored eight straight for the Wolves including a dirty step back on an iso to give Minnesota a 12 point cushion. Steve Kerr emptied the bench and Brandin Podziemski actually went to work, nailing two threes and a nifty floater, but it was meaningless as the Wolves secured the win 116-110.

Anthony Edwards dropped 33 on an 11-27 clip while Karl Anthony-Towns chipped in with 21 points and 14 boards. McDaniels, Alexander-Walker and Reid accounted for 13, 10 and 10 with Gobert adding 10 points to go along with 10 boards. Anthony Edwards did struggle from beyond the arc shooting 1-9, but he made up for it with his mid range game. For the Dubs, it was once again the Steph Curry show as he racked up 38 points on 11-25 shooting including 11 free throws. Klay Thompson was the only other starter in double figures with 16 on 5-16 shooting. Draymond was active everywhere as per usual with 9 points, 9 boards and 7 assists. Off the bench, Saric had a double double with 11 points and 10 boards while Kuminga had 10 points on a brutal 2-11 clip. 

The Warriors found a way to narrowly win the rebound battle which was a good sign considering the two centers Minnesota boasts. But they were badly beaten inside the paint, as the Wolves scored 62 down low compared to the Dubs 38. Another area of struggle last night was from beyond the arc. Golden State shot just 12-43, good for 27.9%. Even worse was their field goal percentage sitting at just 38.5%. It is always going to be tough to win games when the team shoots that poorly from the field. They were able to get to the charity stripe and cash in the freebies going 24-28. As of now, the team is facing some serious adversity and will need to come together to overcome it soon. While Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are obviously not playing their best basketball, I want to see Kuminga and Moody pick it up. They are in their third year in the league and playing significant and meaningful minutes. They are no longer just bench players, they are now role players and need to impact the game more either on defense or offense. I look forward to continuing to watch them grow, and I have a feeling they will play crucial roles in the Warriors success in the playoffs. 

This is now the third straight loss for the Warriors, including two at home. Once sitting at 6-2 and atop the Western Conference, they have fallen to 6-5 and are in need of answers. They will get a day of rest before facing Minnesota again on Tuesday night in a game that will count for the NBA In-Season Tournament. Hopefully this gives them some extra motivation because they need it right now. I predict the Warriors put an end to their losing skid and get back in the win column with a 117-115 win over a tough Minnesota team.