On January 16, 2025, Beijing time, the 21-win and 18-loss Timberwolves hosted the 19-win and 20-loss Warriors. The Warriors had lost four of their last five games and desperately needed a win. Although the Timberwolves are a strong team, the Warriors have had success against them this season. This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with the Warriors leading 2-1 in previous matchups. Could the Warriors defeat the Timberwolves again today? The Warriors were without Kuminga and Green, starting with Curry, Schroder, Wiggins, Santos, and Davis. The Timberwolves started with Edwards, Diwenqinzo, Maidan, Randle, and Gobert.
In the first quarter, Wiggins, Santos, and Schroder scored 8-0. After a timeout, Curry and Santos added another 5 points, giving the Warriors a 13-0 lead. Diwenqinzo scored 4 points, followed by Hield and Curry adding 5 more points, extending the lead to 14 points. Gobert made free throws, Looney made a layup, and Curry and Hield hit three-pointers, increasing the lead to 21 points. Reed hit a three-pointer, but Curry responded with another three-pointer, keeping the lead at 21 points. Edwards made a mid-range shot, while Schroder hit a three-pointer and Davis made an alley-oop, extending the lead to 24 points. Randle made a layup, ending the first quarter with the Warriors leading 34-12.
In the second quarter, Edwards hit two consecutive three-pointers, reducing the gap to 16 points. After a timeout, Wiggins scored 4 points, while Diwenqinzo, Randle, and Reed tried to close the gap, leaving it at 13 points. Davis and Little Payton extended the lead to 17 points. Walker hit a three-pointer, but Hield responded with 5 points, maintaining a 19-point lead. Diwenqinzo, Edwards, and Gobert went on a 9-0 run, reducing the gap to 10 points. Moody hit two three-pointers and Curry made a layup, while Maidan responded with 5 points. At halftime, the Warriors led 55-42.
In the third quarter, Schroder made a mid-range shot, giving the Warriors a 15-point lead. Randle, Gobert, and Diwenqinzo scored, but Schroder, Curry, and Wiggins responded, keeping the lead at 14 points. Diwenqinzo continued to score, reducing the gap to 7 points. Wiggins and Curry scored, while Maidan and Edwards tried to catch up, leaving the gap at 7 points. Moody, Little Payton, and Looney extended the lead to 12 points. Reed and Edwards scored, but Curry and Wiggins responded strongly, maintaining a 13-point lead. Edwards and Randle scored, ending the third quarter with the Warriors leading 87-78.
In the fourth quarter, Hield hit a three-pointer, giving the Warriors a 12-point lead. Randle and Reed hit three-pointers, but Little Payton and Hield responded, keeping the lead at 10 points. Walker, Randle, and Maidan went on a 7-0 run, reducing the gap to 3 points. Wiggins made a layup, while Edwards hit a three-pointer, leaving the gap at 2 points. Moody and Wiggins hit three-pointers, but Randle, Maidan, and Reed responded, leaving the gap at 2 points. Hield made three free throws, increasing the lead to 5 points. After a timeout, Diwenqinzo hit a three-pointer, but Curry responded with another three-pointer. Diwenqinzo hit another three-pointer and Reed made two free throws, tying the game. Curry hit a three-pointer, while Maidan made a dunk, leaving the gap at 1 point. Wiggins made two free throws, increasing the lead to 3 points with 33 seconds left. Edwards missed a three-pointer, but the Warriors turned over the ball. Diwenqinzo made a layup, reducing the gap to 1 point with 12 seconds left. Little Payton made one of two free throws, but Wiggins grabbed the rebound. Curry made two free throws, increasing the lead to 4 points. Edwards missed another three-pointer, ending the game with the Warriors winning 116-115, narrowly avoiding a big comeback.
Curry scored 31 points, 1 rebound, and 8 assists (10 of 21 shots, 7 of 12 three-pointers). Wiggins scored 24 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals (6 of 16 shots, 10 of 12 free throws), playing aggressively and setting a personal record for free throw attempts this season. Hield scored 18 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. Schroder scored 12 points, 1 rebound, and 3 assists. Moody scored 11 points and 4 rebounds. Davis scored 4 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Edwards scored 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 assists (7 of 19 shots). Diwenqinzo scored 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 9 assists (9 of 19 shots, 6 of 12 three-pointers), setting a career-high scoring record with the Timberwolves. Randle scored 17 points and 6 rebounds. Maidan scored 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Reed scored 15 points and 6 rebounds. Gobert scored 7 points and 10 rebounds.
After the win, the Warriors moved from 12th to 10th in the Western Conference standings, while the Timberwolves remained eighth after the loss. Although the Warriors defeated the Timberwolves, they almost suffered a comeback after leading by 24 points, showing poor stability. It will be difficult for them to be competitive in the playoffs with such performance. If the Warriors still have aspirations for results this season, they may need to make some trades.