The Minnesota Timberwolves delivered an impressive victory over the Golden State Warriors last night, defeating them 127-120 in a thrilling contest that featured 27 lead changes. It was a showcase of competitive basketball at its finest, with both teams leaving everything on the court in San Francisco. While Stephen Curry made a triumphant return from injury, the Timberwolves’ balanced scoring attack and clutch execution down the stretch proved to be the difference maker.
The biggest talking point heading into the game centered on Curry’s return after missing the previous five games with a bruised left quadriceps. The two-time NBA scoring champion didn’t disappoint, putting on an offensive clinic with 39 points on an impressive 14-for-28 shooting night. Curry got off to a hot start, making his first three shots and scoring 8 of the Warriors’ initial 12 points. He finished the night with 6 three-pointers in just 32 minutes of action, demonstrating why he remains one of the league’s most dangerous offensive weapons.
Despite Curry’s stellar performance, the Timberwolves had an answer at nearly every turn. Rudy Gobert was absolutely dominant in the paint, combining 24 points with an impressive 14 rebounds to anchor Minnesota’s defense. The veteran big man’s presence was felt throughout the game, particularly down the stretch when the Timberwolves made their crucial plays. Julius Randle chipped in 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, showcasing his all-around contribution to the victory. Donte DiVincenzo proved to be the hero in the final moments, draining a clutch three-pointer with just 28 seconds remaining to seal the win. DiVincenzo finished the night with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists in what was arguably his most important performance of the season.
The game itself was a back-and-forth affair that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout all four quarters. The 27 lead changes tied for the second-most in the entire NBA this season, which really speaks to how evenly matched these two teams were on the night. Both squads played without significant contributors, adding another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The Timberwolves were missing Anthony Edwards, who was dealing with right foot soreness, while the Warriors were without their defensive anchor Draymond Green due to injury.
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Minnesota grabbed control of the game’s momentum. The Timberwolves opened the final period with an impressive 20-7 run that quickly put them in the driver’s seat. This scoring burst was enough to give Minnesota a double-digit lead of ten points with just five minutes remaining in the game. However, Curry and Moses Moody weren’t about to go quietly. The Warriors star connected on back-to-back three-pointers along with Moody to bring Golden State back into the conversation, pulling them within striking distance at 108-104.
Golden State briefly seized the lead at 118-117 following one of Curry’s free throws with just 1:37 left on the clock. That’s when Gobert delivered the go-ahead dunk to put the Timberwolves back on top. DiVincenzo then sealed the deal with his clutch three-pointer from twenty-three feet out with 28 seconds to play, making it 123-118 and essentially putting the game out of reach. The Wolves closed strong with a 10-2 surge in the game’s final moments that demonstrated their composure and ability to execute when it mattered most.
Naz Reid provided excellent value off the bench for Minnesota, adding 18 points and seven assists to the winning effort. This kind of production from the bench has been a hallmark of the Timberwolves’ success this season. For Golden State, Quinten Post chipped in 16 points while Jimmy Butler added 15 points and eight rebounds, but neither could quite match the Wolves’ overall firepower.
This game served as a reminder of why these two franchises have such a storied recent rivalry. The Timberwolves eliminated the Warriors in the second round of the playoffs just this past season, and Friday’s regular season matchup showed that the competitive fire between these two organizations remains as intense as ever. Despite playing without their star guard Edwards, the Timberwolves proved they have the depth and championship pedigree to win games on the road against quality opponents.
Here’s the thing, folks: The victory was particularly significant for Minnesota to continue establishing themselves as genuine contenders in the Western Conference. The Timberwolves showed they can win close games, execute in clutch situations, and overcome the absence of key contributors. These are the kinds of wins that resonate deep into the season and can be the difference between securing a playoff seeding and finding yourself fighting just to get in.
With that… Looking ahead, the Timberwolves will host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday as they continue their busy schedule, while the Warriors head to Portland to take on the Trail Blazers. Both teams have plenty of reasons to be satisfied with their respective showings, though only Minnesota will have the satisfaction of coming away with the victory. Curry’s return gives Golden State optimism moving forward, but the Timberwolves proved on Friday night that they’re more than capable of standing toe-to-toe with any team in the league.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!