Anthony Edwards discussed the Minnesota Timberwolves’ recent rise in performance following his recent call for greater effort from his teammates. In a commanding display, the Timberwolves defeated the Golden State Warriors 107-90 on Friday night, marking the first match in a weekend series.
Edwards led the scoring with 30 points and contributed nine assists. The Warriors welcomed back Stephen Curry, who had missed a previous game due to sore knees, and he tallied 23 points. While Curry managed to keep his team in contention with a three-pointer that closed the gap to 80-77 in the fourth quarter, the Warriors faltered with turnovers and defensive lapses.
Rudy Gobert also made a significant impact for the Timberwolves, registering 17 points and 11 rebounds, helping his team gain momentum. As the Timberwolves prepare to play again on Sunday at Chase Center, they have now won five consecutive matches against the Warriors, including four straight at Golden State’s arena.
Draymond Green returned to action after missing the previous game due to calf tightness, contributing 10 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, despite picking up his seventh technical foul of the season. Unfortunately for the Warriors, they were short-handed late in the game as Moses Moody dealt with knee soreness and Andrew Wiggins managed an ongoing ankle issue.
A pivotal moment occurred late in the third quarter when Gary Payton II’s layup was overturned to an offensive foul upon the Timberwolves’ successful challenge, which prevented a possible reduction of their lead to seven points.
While the Warriors struggled offensively, scoring only four points in a difficult second quarter, the Timberwolves displayed a knack for rebounding, holding a 27-19 advantage in the first half and leading 56-46 at halftime.
Overall, the Timberwolves’ strong performance bodes well for their continued success in the series, while the Warriors will need to address their inconsistencies as they head into their next matchup.
This weekend matchup provides an opportunity for both teams—Minnesota seeks to build on their winning momentum, while Golden State can regroup and strategize to reclaim their competitive edge. The will to improve can often lead to transformative moments, making the upcoming game a promising challenge for the Warriors.