Timberwolves Outlast Curry’s 39-Point Masterpiece in Wild Finish vs. Warriors
If you looked at the injury report before tip-off, you probably wrote this one off. Anthony Edwards, the heart and soul of the Minnesota Timberwolves, was sitting out with right foot soreness. On the other side? A Golden State Warriors squad looking to capitalize at home, even without Draymond Green.
But Friday night hoops has a funny way of defying logic. In a game that featured 27 lead changes and enough momentum swings to give a fan whiplash, the Timberwolves proved they are far more than just a one-man show, escaping the Bay with a gritty 127-120 victory.
It wasn’t pretty, and at times it was downright chaotic, but Minnesota found a way to answer every single punch Stephen Curry threw their way. And trust me, Curry threw plenty.
Timberwolves Find Rhythm Without Their Superstar
When Ant is out, the question is always: “Who takes the big shots?” Tonight, the answer was simply “everyone.”
Julius Randle stepped into the playmaker role beautifully, finishing with 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists. He controlled the pace, bullying his way into the lane and finding shooters when the defense collapsed. But the real story was the collective efficiency. The Timberwolves shot nearly 54% from the field, a testament to ball movement that didn’t stick.
Naz Reid provided that crucial spark off the bench with 18 points, but it was the poise down the stretch that stood out. This team is now 12-0 when they score 120 points or more. That’s not a fluke; that’s a formula. When the offense clicks like this, they are nearly impossible to beat, regardless of who is in street clothes on the bench.
Rudy Gobert Dominates the Paint in Crunch Time
While the guards were trading buckets on the perimeter, Rudy Gobert was turning the rim into his personal playground. The Warriors, playing a smaller lineup with Quinten Post and Jimmy Butler in the frontcourt, simply had no answer for the Stifle Tower.
Gobert was a monster, racking up 24 points on an absurd 11-of-13 shooting. But it wasn’t just layups. He finished with eight dunks, punishing the Warriors’ interior defense every time they tried to rotate late. He added 14 rebounds and two steals, anchoring a defense that desperately needed stops against a scorching-hot Curry.
There was a sequence late in the fourth—Golden State had briefly retaken the lead 118-117—where Gobert muscled his way to a go-ahead dunk that silenced the Chase Center crowd. It was the kind of physical dominance that demoralizes an opponent, reminding them that no matter how well they shoot, they can’t stop the lob.
Weathering the Storm: Curry’s Brilliance vs. Timberwolves’ Resilience
You knew it was coming. You can’t play Golden State without enduring a Stephen Curry avalanche. The greatest shooter of all time poured in 39 points, hitting 6-of-15 from deep, and single-handedly kept the Warriors in the fight.
The fourth quarter was absolute madness. The Timberwolves opened the final frame on a massive 20-5 run, looking like they were going to blow the doors off. They led by 12 and seemed to be cruising. Then, the Warriors answered with a 21-6 burst of their own to go up by three.
In years past, Minnesota might have folded. The crowd was loud, Curry was shimmying, and the momentum had completely flipped. But this group didn’t blink. They closed the final 1:58 on a 13-3 run, showing a mental toughness that champions are made of.
DiVincenzo’s Dagger Seals the Deal
Narratives matter in this league, and Donte DiVincenzo returning to face his former team was a juicy one. He didn’t disappoint.
DiVincenzo dropped 21 points, pulled down six boards, and dished four assists. But the moment everyone will be talking about came with 28 seconds left on the clock. With the game hanging in the balance, DiVincenzo caught the ball, rose, and buried a clutch three-pointer that effectively put the nail in the Warriors’ coffin.
It was a cold-blooded shot from a guy who knows exactly what it takes to win in that building.
What This Win Means for the Timberwolves
This wasn’t just a win in the standings; it was a statement of depth. Winning on the road against a team like Golden State is hard. Doing it without your best player, while weathering a 39-point storm from Curry, is impressive.
The Timberwolves have now won four of their last five games that went into “clutch time.” They are learning how to execute when the pressure is highest, finding offense from Randle, defense from Gobert, and daggers from DiVincenzo.
They head home to host the Kings on Sunday with a little extra swagger. If they can play like this when Edwards returns, the rest of the West should be very, very worried.
