Stephen Curry drained seven 3-pointers on his way to 31 points, propelling the Golden State Warriors to a narrow 116-115 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. Andrew Wiggins contributed 24 points as the Warriors, shorthanded and desperate to halt their skid, found a spark in the final game of a four-game road trip after dropping below .500 with Monday’s loss in Toronto.
The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo with 28 points apiece, rallied from a sluggish start that saw them trail by 24 late in the first quarter. Minnesota clawed their way back, tying the game at 108 with just over a minute remaining.Â
DiVincenzo’s sixth 3-pointer of the night kept the Wolves within striking distance, but a critical sequence sealed their fate. After a Gary Payton II turnover led to an easy DiVincenzo layup, Payton split two free throws, and Wiggins secured a crucial rebound. Curry iced the game with two free throws, leaving Minnesota one point shy.
Golden State raced out to a 26-5 lead, hitting eight of their first 12 3-point attempts despite missing Draymond Green (illness), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), and Kyle Anderson (hamstring). The Warriors’ defense held the Timberwolves to 12 first-quarter points, the Wolves’ season-low for any quarter and the fewest allowed by Golden State this season. After a much-needed victory against a competitive side, let’s grade every Warriors player.
Stephen Curry: A
Stats: 31 PTS, 1 REB (1 OREB, 0 DREB), 8 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 10-21 FG, 7-12 3PT, 4-4 FT, -1, 37 MIN
Curry was once again the heartbeat of the Warriors, scoring 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including an impressive 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. His clutch free throws in the closing moments and 8 assists were pivotal in securing the narrow victory, demonstrating his ability to deliver under pressure even with a shorthanded roster.
Andrew Wiggins: B
Stats: 24 PTS, 5 REB (2 OREB, 3 DREB), 2 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 2 PF, 6-16 FG, 2-8 3PT, 10-12 FT, -5, 35 MIN
Wiggins contributed 24 points and 5 rebounds while attacking the rim consistently, earning 12 trips to the free-throw line and converting 10. While his shooting efficiency was uneven at 6-of-16, his effort on both ends, including a crucial rebound late in the game, made a significant impact.
Buddy Hield: B
Stats: 18 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 6-11 FG, 3-6 3PT, 3-3 FT, +8, 29 MIN
Hield provided a spark with 18 points, shooting 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep. His three steals and two blocks highlighted his defensive effort, and he was a key contributor in maintaining the Warriors’ early lead.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: B
Stats: 4 PTS, 15 REB (9 OREB, 6 DREB), 2 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 2 TO, 2 PF, 2-7 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +2, 27 MIN
Jackson-Davis owned the glass, grabbing 15 rebounds, including 9 on the offensive end, to complement his 4 points. His hustle and physical presence in the paint were vital for a Warriors team missing key frontcourt players.
Dennis Schroder: C+
Stats: 12 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 3 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 6 PF, 5-11 FG, 2-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, -4, 25 MIN
Schroder scored 12 points on 5-of-11 shooting, including 2-of-3 from deep, while adding 3 assists and 2 steals. However, his 6 personal fouls and occasional lapses in decision-making limited his overall effectiveness.
Moses Moody: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB (0 OREB, 4 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 5 PF, 4-6 FG, 3-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, +7, 25 MIN
Moody provided efficient scoring off the bench, tallying 11 points on 4-of-6 shooting and hitting 3 of his 4 attempts from beyond the arc. His 4 rebounds and solid defensive presence helped the Warriors during key stretches.
Gary Payton II: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 6 REB (0 OREB, 6 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 3-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, -4, 19 MIN
Payton was a defensive anchor, grabbing 6 rebounds and showing his trademark hustle. He chipped in 7 points on perfect 3-of-3 shooting but had a costly turnover late in the game, though he managed to redeem himself with a split at the free-throw line.
Gui Santos: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 7 REB (1 OREB, 6 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 4 PF, 2-5 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-0 FT, +5, 21 MIN
Santos showcased his versatility with 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Though his offensive game lacked consistency, his effort on the boards and defensive energy were valuable in a tightly contested game.
Kevon Looney: C+
Stats: 4 PTS, 5 REB (1 OREB, 4 DREB), 6 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 2-2 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, -3, 22 MIN
Looney played his role effectively, contributing 4 points, 5 rebounds, and a surprising 6 assists. His efficient 2-of-2 shooting and solid defensive positioning made him a steadying presence in the Warriors’ rotation.
