The Minnesota Timberwolves showed resilience in their game against the Golden State Warriors, battling back from a significant first-quarter deficit. Despite their relentless effort over the final three quarters, the Wolves fell just short, losing 116-115. The loss highlighted both their fighting spirit and the glaring issues that continue to plague their season.
Minnesota’s first quarter was nothing short of catastrophic. The Warriors, despite being short-handed due to injuries, jumped to a 13-0 lead before the Wolves even scored. By the end of the quarter, Golden State had a commanding 34-10 lead, a combination of Minnesota’s lackluster energy and Golden State’s desperate play. The sluggish start ultimately proved insurmountable, overshadowing the Wolves’ determined comeback effort.
Anthony Edwards Reflects on Team’s Performance and Challenges
Anthony Edwards, who led the team with 28 points and eight rebounds, acknowledged the team’s slow start but took pride in their fight. He stressed the importance of finishing strong but also recognized the urgency for better starts. Despite Edwards’ thoughtful reflection on the game and team’s state, the loss was particularly painful given the Wolves’ recent momentum and upcoming tough schedule.
Anthony Edwards Shines but Timberwolves’ Slow Start and Late Mistakes Cost Them Against WarriorsThe Warriors were missing key players, including Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga, making this a game the Wolves needed to win. Instead, Golden State, led by unlikely contributors like Gui Santos, managed to outplay the Wolves early. Santos, in his first NBA start, played a key role, exposing Minnesota’s struggles despite being an inexperienced G League player.
Minnesota could not blame officiating, as they had more free-throw attempts than Golden State and were the beneficiaries of additional foul calls. The loss also wasn’t due to travel fatigue, as both teams had been enduring a grueling schedule. Instead, it was clear that the Wolves’ poor start was entirely self-inflicted and a result of their ongoing struggles to bring energy at the outset of games.
Golden State Dominates Timberwolves in Season Series Matchups
The loss marked Minnesota’s third defeat against the Warriors this season. Golden State has struggled against other opponents but has found ways to beat the Wolves consistently. With multiple regrettable losses already this season, including two against Portland, this latest setback adds to Minnesota’s frustration as they try to climb the standings in a competitive Western Conference.
Despite rallying in the later quarters, key mistakes in crunch time cost the Wolves. Turnovers and missed defensive assignments allowed Golden State to stay ahead. Stephen Curry’s clutch three-pointer late in the game punished a momentary lapse in defensive focus, sealing the victory for the Warriors. Additionally, Rudy Gobert’s inability to secure a crucial rebound in the final seconds denied the Wolves one last chance to steal the game.
Gobert, once dominant on the boards, has seen a noticeable decline in his rebounding numbers. His regression has hurt the Wolves’ defensive rebounding efficiency, ranking 22nd in the league, a significant drop from ninth last season. Head coach Chris Finch emphasized that rebounding starts before the shot is taken and pointed to positional issues that continue to affect the team’s ability to secure defensive boards.
With 40 games played, the Wolves still struggle with consistency, particularly in avoiding prolonged stretches of poor play. Their upcoming schedule includes tough matchups against the Knicks, Cavaliers, and Nuggets. If they fail to improve their starts, these stronger teams could bury them early. Despite some recent progress, the Wolves must prove they can sustain success against top-tier opponents if they hope to be a serious playoff contender.
