Stephen Curry made a powerful return to the court on Friday night, lighting up Chase Center with 39 points. However, even his explosive performance wasn’t enough to lift the Golden State Warriors past the Minnesota Timberwolves, who closed strong to secure a 127-120 win.
Curry’s Return Brings Energy and Hope
Before the game even started, Curry had the crowd buzzing. He hit a long-distance shot from the tunnel during warmups, drawing loud cheers and setting the tone for his comeback after missing five games due to a left quad injury.
“I thought it was going to be a better night,” Curry said after the game.
Despite the loss, Curry looked sharp. He scored efficiently, attacked the basket, and showed no signs of hesitation. His 14-point fourth quarter helped the Warriors erase a 12-point deficit and briefly take the lead late in the game.
Late Timberwolves Run Seals the Game
With just over two minutes remaining, Curry drilled a clutch three-pointer to give Golden State the lead. Moses Moody followed with a layup, pushing the Warriors ahead 117-114.
But Minnesota responded quickly. Former Warrior Donte DiVincenzo hit a game-tying three, sparking a decisive 13-3 run. The Timberwolves’ late surge silenced the home crowd and sealed the Warriors’ defeat.
Warriors Struggle in the Fourth Quarter
Golden State’s biggest issue came early in the fourth quarter. The team went scoreless for five straight minutes, allowing Minnesota to go on a 17-0 run.
Head coach Steve Kerr pointed to that stretch as the turning point.
“We played well enough to win,” Kerr said. “But the long dry spell early in the fourth hurt us, along with some defensive breakdowns late.”
Strong Performances Despite the Loss
Alongside Curry, Quinten Post added 16 points, while Jimmy Butler contributed 15 points and eight rebounds. Pat Spencer continued his solid stretch with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists.
Still, the Warriors were hurt by poor shooting from deep, making just 15 of 46 three-point attempts. They also lost key battles in rebounding and turnovers.
Minnesota Dominates the Frontcourt
Without Draymond Green and Al Horford, Golden State struggled to contain Minnesota’s size. Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid combined for 86 points and overwhelmed the Warriors inside.
Gobert was especially effective, finishing with 24 points on 11-of-13 shooting.
Game Flow and Key Moments
The game featured constant momentum swings, with 27 lead changes — one of the highest totals in the NBA this season. Curry stayed aggressive throughout, scoring with drives, floaters, and deep threes.
However, when Curry rested to start the fourth quarter, Minnesota pushed the pace and took control. Golden State never fully recovered.
Curry Reflects on His First Game Back
Curry said he felt good physically and was happy to be back on the floor.
“Individually, it was a good first game back,” he said. “I just needed to get my lungs back and feel like myself again.”
What’s Next for the Warriors
The loss drops Golden State to 13-13 on the season. While the result was disappointing, Curry’s performance was a positive sign moving forward.
The Warriors will look to bounce back on Sunday when they face the Portland Trail Blazers.
Conclusion
Stephen Curry’s return brought excitement, confidence, and elite scoring back to the Warriors. But basketball is a team game, and Minnesota’s size, depth, and late-game execution proved too much. While the loss stings, Curry’s strong comeback gives Golden State hope as they head into the next stretch of the season.
