Stephen Curry was back, ladies and gentlemen. After missing five games, Curry was supposed to return at the highest level and guide the Warriors to a victory against a strong opponent. Well, that didn’t quite happen because the point guard dropped a monster 39 points but could not be the driving force in a chaotic game.
Curry kept his team alive with countless tough shots, from beyond the arc and at the rim, and was the single driving force for an impressive performance. But when the game reached its breaking point late, the same problems that have haunted Golden State all season came roaring back.
The Timberwolves took control with a closing run the Warriors couldn’t match. The Warriors were on their way to a win but ultimately suffered another frustrating loss.
Even with Curry delivering a vintage performance, Golden State walked off the floor on the wrong side of a 120-127 final. With that collapse fresh in mind, let’s break down and grade every Warrior from the night.
Stephen Curry: A
Game Stats: 39 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 14-28 FG, 6-15 3PT, 5-7 FT, 32 MIN
Curry’s return felt like a jolt of electricity. He scored from everywhere, controlled the tempo, and repeatedly kept Golden State alive when the game threatened to slip away. Minnesota threw multiple defenders at him late, yet he still created quality looks and briefly pushed the Warriors ahead in the final two minutes. This loss had nothing to do with his performance – it was a reminder that even a near-flawless Curry night isn’t always enough anymore.
Jimmy Butler III: B
Game Stats: 15 PTS, 8 REB, 5 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 6-11 FG, 0-2 3PT, 3-4 FT, 37 MIN
Butler tried to do his part, scoring 15 points and having a decent all-around game but doesn’t get more than a B grade. He didn’t make a three, played a lot of minutes, but wasn’t his usual self in the clutch. Curry needed help tonight and Butler wasn’t the man to provide enough of it.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: B
Game Stats: 8 PTS, 7 REB, 1 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 3-4 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-2 FT, 15 MIN
Jackson-Davis was solid in limited minutes. He did a lot in only 15 minutes as a paint presence who crashed the board and finished well. He even made all his free throws and came up with two blocks. Perhaps Steve Kerr should have played TJD more because he was on it tonight, considering his limitations.
Moses Moody: B
Game Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 0 BLK, 5-10 FG, 1-4 3PT, 0-1 FT, 23 MIN
Moody’s energy changed the game when he entered. He defended aggressively, finished plays, and hit timely shots, including a late three that briefly swung momentum.
De’Anthony Melton: B-
Game Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 1 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2-6 FG, 0-2 3PT, 5-6 FT, 20 MIN
Melton attacked downhill and earned trips to the line, helping stabilize the offense during a key stretch. His shot didn’t fall from deep, but his defensive activity showed up.
Quinten Post: B-
Game Stats: 16 PTS, 6 REB, 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 5-15 FG, 4-11 3PT, 2-2 FT, 33 MIN
Post took a ton of threes, but his efficiency hurt the time. It is easy to look at 16 points and 6 rebounds and reach a positive conclusion, but he missed some shots he should have made. Had he made them, the Warriors probably would have won. That lowers his grade a little bit.
Buddy Hield: C
Game Stats: 6 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 2-4 FG, 2-4 3PT, 0-0 FT, 19 MIN
Hield made some threes but his raw impact wasn’t there. He only played 19 minutes, to be fair, but we didn’t see enough effort defensively from him tonight. The Warriors (and especially Curry) needed more from this sharpshooter.
Pat Spencer: C
Game Stats: 12 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 2 STL, 0 BLK, 5-13 FG, 2-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, 28 MIN
Spencer brought energy and effort, particularly on defense, but his offensive decision-making was uneven. He made some timely plays yet struggled to keep the Warriors organized during key stretches.
Gui Santos: C
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 1 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 6 MIN
Santos didn’t play enough to leave much of an impression, though he stayed within the offense and avoided mistakes.
Brandin Podziemski: C-
Game Stats: 2 PTS, 2 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1-4 FG, 0-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, 23 MIN
Podziemski struggled to score and had a tough time defensively. While he moved the ball well, the lack of offensive impact made it a difficult night.
Gary Payton II: N/A
Game Stats: 0 PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 4 MIN
Payton’s stint was brief and ineffective. He wasn’t able to apply his usual defensive pressure before heading back to the bench.
