The Warriors were already facing challenges before their game against the Timberwolves, and things worsened when both Draymond Green and Al Horford were sidelined by the end of the first quarter.
Anthony Edwards’ standout performance turned what was already a tough matchup into an uphill battle, leading to a 127-117 defeat that felt out of reach early for the shorthanded Warriors.
Edwards netted 42 points, including 12 from the free-throw line. Golden State found it difficult to cope with Minnesota’s size and athleticism, trailing by as much as 25 points early in the second half. Rudy Gobert contributed with 18 points and hit 8 of 10 free throws.
This loss, uncompetitive as it was, highlighted growing injury concerns for Kristaps Porzingis, who is supposed to be regaining his health but is now playing his third game in four nights. The 7-foot-3 center, in his first start, scored 20 points but was outperformed by Brandin Podzemski (25) and was the only player providing any pushback against the Timberwolves’ inside game.
Green was declared out just an hour before the game started, preventing him from taking his place in the lineup. Compounding the issue, Horford and Seth Curry also left the court during the first half and didn’t return.
What It Means
Ultimately, the Timberwolves emerged from this crisis with their first win in four games. Meanwhile, the Warriors’ losing streak reached four.
Turning Point
The pivotal moment came when Horford got injured late in the first quarter. The veteran had just started alongside Porzingis, and it seemed like the Warriors might be able to contend with the Timberwolves’ taller lineup. However, once Horford strained his right calf during his initial stint, that hope vanished.
With only Porzingis and Quinten Post as the Warriors’ tall options, the team struggled significantly. Minnesota dominated in the paint, scoring 52 points compared to the Warriors’ 40, and was more effective at the foul line with 23 points from 26 attempts, along with a 55-to-45 advantage in rebounds.
MVP: Anthony Edwards
Edwards proved to be nearly unguardable, contributing to easy points for teammates like Randle and Gobert early on before taking control himself, effortlessly attacking the rim and delivering from beyond the arc.
Although the Warriors went into halftime trailing 69-48 after a rough second quarter, they managed to trim the lead down to single digits late in the game. Yet, Edwards quickly quelled those efforts by hitting back-to-back three-pointers to maintain control.
Game Status: 65.4%
Regardless of who was on the floor, the Timberwolves had their way on offense against a Warriors lineup that often featured Post or Porzingis as the tallest players. Minnesota made 34 out of 52 attempts on two-point shots, reflecting a high conversion rate of 65.4% against the Warriors’ 40% efficiency from the field overall.
The impact of missing their top defensive asset was evident for Golden State.
To the Next
The Warriors are set to embark on a six-game road trip, beginning against the Knicks on Sunday at Madison Square Garden. Stephen Curry (knee) is anticipated to miss at least the early part of this trip, and Coach Steve Kerr mentioned uncertainty about Curry’s travel plans with the team.
