Anthony Edwards led the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 107-90 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night with 30 points and nine assists. The Timberwolves extended their dominance over Golden State, marking their fifth straight win in the series and fourth consecutive triumph at Chase Center. Rudy Gobert contributed 17 points and 11 rebounds, as Minnesota built a 10-point halftime lead and never looked back.
Stephen Curry returned to the Warriors’ lineup after resting his sore knees in the previous game, finishing with 23 points. Curry sparked hope with a 3-pointer early in the fourth quarter to trim the deficit to 80-77, but Golden State’s struggles with turnovers and defensive lapses allowed Minnesota to pull away. Draymond Green also returned for the Warriors, contributing 10 points, nine rebounds, and six assists while picking up his seventh technical foul of the season.
The Timberwolves capitalized on their dominance inside, grabbing a 27-19 rebounding edge in the first half en route to a 56-46 halftime lead. A pivotal moment came late in the third quarter when Gary Payton II’s layup, which could have cut the deficit to single digits, was overturned to an offensive foul following a Timberwolves challenge.
Curry, despite a slow start that saw him miss his first four 3-pointers, found his rhythm but shot just 3-for-9 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, Golden State faltered offensively, scoring only four points in the opening nine minutes of a dismal 15-point second quarter.
The Timberwolves remain in San Francisco to face the Warriors again on Sunday, aiming to continue their stronghold over the defending champs.
Anthony Edwards: A
Stats: 30 points, 4 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 4 turnovers, 1 foul, 11-18 FG, 4-10 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 35 mins
Anthony Edwards delivered a commanding performance, leading the Timberwolves to victory with 30 points and nine assists. His efficiency shone through, as he shot 11-of-18 from the field and 4-of-10 from deep while also contributing defensively with a steal and two blocks. Despite four turnovers, Edwards’ playmaking and scoring set the tone for Minnesota’s offense, allowing them to maintain control throughout the game. His clutch leadership was crucial in extending the Timberwolves’ dominance over Golden State.
Rudy Gobert: B+
Stats: 17 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 3 turnovers, 3 fouls, 6-10 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 5-5 FT, 35 mins
Rudy Gobert was a force in the paint, recording 17 points and 11 rebounds while shooting an efficient 6-of-10 from the floor. He also knocked down all five of his free throws, showing improvement at the line. Gobert’s presence on both ends allowed the Timberwolves to dominate the interior, though his three turnovers and three fouls slightly tempered his overall impact.
Julius Randle: B
Stats: 16 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 3 turnovers, 1 foul, 5-11 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 4-4 FT, 24 mins
In limited minutes, Julius Randle contributed solidly with 16 points, nine rebounds, and four assists. His efficient 5-of-11 shooting included two timely 3-pointers and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. While Randle didn’t make a massive defensive impact, his scoring and rebounding helped keep the Timberwolves ahead in key stretches.
Mike Conley: B
Stats: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 5-12 FG, 3-9 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 27 mins
Mike Conley’s veteran savvy was on display with 13 points, four rebounds, and four assists, complemented by three steals and a block. While his shooting was inconsistent (5-of-12 overall and 3-of-9 from beyond the arc), Conley’s defensive contributions and floor leadership were pivotal in guiding the team through Golden State’s fourth-quarter push.
Naz Reid: B
Stats: 9 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 0 turnovers, 1 foul, 4-10 FG, 1-5 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 32 mins
Naz Reid showcased his versatility with nine points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. He was a defensive presence as well, tallying three steals and two blocks. Although his shooting efficiency (4-of-10) left room for improvement, Reid’s all-around energy and effort were instrumental in maintaining Minnesota’s control of the game.
Jaden McDaniels: B
Stats: 10 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 3 fouls, 4-11 FG, 2-5 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 30 mins
Jaden McDaniels chipped in 10 points, three rebounds, and two assists while playing tough defense and adding a steal. Though his shooting was inconsistent (4-of-11), he connected on two key 3-pointers and provided steady minutes on both ends of the floor.
Donte DiVincenzo: C+
Stats: 5 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, 1 turnover, 1 foul, 2-7 FG, 1-5 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 25 mins
Donte DiVincenzo struggled offensively, scoring just five points on 2-of-7 shooting. However, he made up for it with hustle plays, grabbing four rebounds and dishing out six assists. His defensive activity, including a steal and a block, added value, though he lacked the scoring punch needed on a night when Golden State faltered.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker: C
Stats: 5 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 2-5 FG, 1-2 3PT FG, 0-1 FT, 18 mins
Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributed five points, two rebounds, and two assists in 18 minutes. While his impact was limited, he shot 2-of-5 from the field and connected on one of his two 3-point attempts, showing some offensive potential in a supporting role.
Luka Garza: N/A
Stats: 2 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 1-2 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 2 mins
In two minutes of action, Luka Garza tallied two points and one rebound on 1-of-2 shooting. While his time on the court was brief, he made the most of his opportunity with an efficient scoring effort.
Josh Minott: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 0 fouls, 0-1 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 5 mins
Josh Minott had minimal impact in his five minutes, recording no points or rebounds and missing his only shot attempt. He managed to register a steal but didn’t have enough playing time to leave a meaningful mark.
Daishen Nix: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 0 fouls, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 2 mins
Daishen Nix saw two minutes of action but didn’t attempt a shot or record any notable stats. His short stint was largely uneventful.
PJ Dozier: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 2 mins
PJ Dozier played two minutes without making a statistical contribution. He didn’t take any shots or make any mistakes in his limited time.
Terrence Shannon Jr.: N/A
Stats: 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 2 mins
Terrence Shannon Jr. logged two minutes, missing his only shot attempt and failing to contribute in other areas statistically. His time on the floor was too brief to assess his performance.
