Rudy Gobert delivered a dominant double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo buried a crucial 3-pointer with 28 seconds left, guiding the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 127-120 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
Stephen Curry, returning from a bruise in his left quadriceps that sidelined him for five games, erupted for 39 points. The win came despite Minnesota playing without star Anthony Edwards, who sat out with right foot soreness.
DiVincenzo finished with 21 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the first-ever matchup since Minnesota ousted Golden State in the previous season’s playoff second round.
For Minnesota, Julius Randle contributed 27 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, with Naz Reid adding 18 points and seven assists off the bench. On Golden State’s side, Quintein Post added 16 points, and Jimmy Butler posted 15 points and eight rebounds.
The game featured 27 lead changes—tied for the NBA’s second-highest this season—while both teams played shorthanded. Edwards was out for Minnesota, and Green was sidelined for Golden State due to injury.
Momentum swung to Minnesota in the fourth quarter, as they opened with a 20-7 blitz and led by as many as 10 with five minutes remaining. Curry and Moses Moody then connected on back-to-back triples to pull the Warriors within 108-104.
Golden State briefly snagged a 118-117 edge after Curry’s free throw with 1:37 to go, but Gobert answered with a go-ahead dunk, and DiVincenzo knocked down a 3 to push the lead to 123-118 with 28 seconds left. Minnesota closed out the game with a 10-2 run.
Curry wasted no time getting into a rhythm upon his return, cashing his first three attempts and tallying eight of Golden State’s first 12 points.
Up next:
- Timberwolves host the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
- Warriors visit the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland on Sunday.
Source: AP News
