Stephen Curry was the star of the show with a 39-foot buzzer-beater to end the third quarter and capped off a 30-point, eight-assist performance as the Golden State Warriors edged the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106 on Sunday night. In the second meeting between the teams in one week, the Warriors avenged Friday’s loss, ending Minnesota’s four-game winning streak.
Curry orchestrated a critical stretch late in the fourth, finding Jonathan Kuminga for a go-ahead dunk with 2:55 remaining and setting up Buddy Hield for a pivotal 3-pointer at the 58-second mark. Hield added 27 points, connecting on seven 3-pointers to move within one of becoming the 17th player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career 3-pointers. Kuminga contributed 20 points and seven rebounds to bolster Golden State’s effort in another strong performance.
Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 27 points, but Minnesota struggled to maintain their five-game dominance in the series. Despite having some good moments in the game, the Timberwolves missed opportunities to capitalize on their size advantage.
Despite a heated contest throughout, Curry’s brilliance shone through, particularly during a second-quarter burst where he scored 10 consecutive points, including back-to-back 3-pointers. Golden State’s win showcased their depth and resilience, even as Andrew Wiggins sat out with a lingering ankle issue. With this victory, the Warriors snapped the Timberwolves’ streak and showed signs of regaining their stride and we grade the players for their strong performances tonight.
Stephen Curry: A
Stats: 30 points, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 0 blocks, 3 turnovers, 0 fouls, 8-18 FG, 5-11 3PT FG, 9-11 FT, 35 mins
Stephen Curry’s masterful performance was the catalyst for Golden State’s victory. His 30 points included a jaw-dropping 39-foot buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter and a pivotal fourth-quarter stretch where he orchestrated key plays, such as setting up Kuminga’s go-ahead dunk and Hield’s critical 3-pointer. Though he missed some early shots, Curry’s efficiency from the line (9-11 FT) and beyond the arc (5-11 3PT) underscored his importance in high-pressure moments.
Buddy Hield: A
Stats: 27 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, 0 blocks, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 10-18 FG, 7-13 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 35 mins
Buddy Hield provided a stellar complementary performance with 27 points, fueled by a blistering 7-of-13 shooting from deep. His ability to stretch the floor was crucial, and his clutch 3-pointer in the final minute was a dagger for the Timberwolves. Hield also showed active hands-on defense, collecting three steals, and moved closer to the historic milestone of 2,000 career 3-pointers.
Jonathan Kuminga: B+
Stats: 20 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks, 3 turnovers, 2 fouls, 7-16 FG, 1-4 3PT FG, 5-8 FT, 36 mins
Jonathan Kuminga delivered one of his most impactful games of the season with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks. His late-game go-ahead dunk off a Curry assist highlighted his athleticism and awareness. While he was not as efficient from the field (7-16 FG), his defensive presence and hustle helped secure the win.
Gary Payton II: B-
Stats: 8 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks, 1 turnover, 3 fouls, 4-8 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 0-1 FT, 27 mins
Payton played his typical scrappy role with eight points, five rebounds, and two steals, contributing to Golden State’s defensive intensity. While his offensive output was modest, his ability to guard multiple positions and make timely plays kept Minnesota’s perimeter threats in check.
Kevon Looney: B-
Stats: 12 points, 9 rebounds, 1 assist, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 6-8 FG, 0-0 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 21 mins
Kevon Looney’s inside presence was valuable, as he chipped in 12 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting and added nine rebounds. While he didn’t stuff the stat sheet defensively, his ability to set screens and grab crucial boards made him a steadying force in the paint.
Draymond Green: B-
Stats: 6 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 3 turnovers, 5 fouls, 3-5 FG, 0-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 31 mins
Draymond Green provided his usual mix of playmaking and defensive versatility with six points, six rebounds, seven assists, and a block. However, his five fouls and three turnovers limited his overall impact. Still, his leadership and ability to anchor the defense were evident throughout the game.
Brandin Podziemski: C+
Stats: 6 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls, 2-5 FG, 2-4 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 20 mins
Podziemski showed flashes of potential with six points and three assists in limited minutes. He hit two of his four attempts from deep, providing a spark off the bench, but his impact was relatively muted compared to the starters.
Lindy Waters III: C
Stats: 0 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 0 steals, 1 block, 0 turnovers, 4 fouls, 0-5 FG, 0-3 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 22 mins
Waters struggled offensively, going scoreless on 0-for-5 shooting, including three missed 3-pointers. While he contributed with four rebounds and three assists, his inability to knock down open looks hurt Golden State’s spacing.
Kyle Anderson: N/A
Stats: 3 points, 2 rebounds, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 2 fouls, 1-3 FG, 1-1 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 8 mins
Anderson had limited playing time but managed three points and two rebounds in his eight minutes. His brief stint included a made 3-pointer, but he didn’t have enough time to make a significant impact.
Moses Moody: N/A
Stats: 2 points, 1 rebound, 0 assists, 0 steals, 0 blocks, 0 turnovers, 0 fouls, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT FG, 0-0 FT, 5 mins
Moody’s five minutes on the court resulted in just two points on 1-of-4 shooting. While he showed energy in his limited action, he wasn’t able to find a rhythm offensively.
The Golden State Warriors play at Houston against the Rockets in their next game on Wednesday in the NBA Cup quarterfinals (9:30 PM EST), having beaten them in 15 straight meetings and eight in a row on the road.
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