In San Francisco, Rudy Gobert delivered a double-double with 24 points and 14 rebounds, while Donte DiVincenzo buried a crucial 3-pointer with 28 seconds left, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 127-120 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Friday night.
The return of Stephen Curry sparked the Warriors, as the two-time scoring champion poured in 39 points after missing five games with a bruised left quadriceps. Minnesota played without Anthony Edwards (right foot soreness) but still managed to seal the win.
DiVincenzo finished with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists in his first matchup against Golden State since the Timberwolves ousted the Warriors in last season’s second round of the playoffs. Julius Randle contributed 27 points, nine rebounds and six assists for Minnesota, while Naz Reid came off the bench for 18 points and seven assists.
For Golden State, Quenti n Post scored 16 points, and Jimmy Butler added 15 points and eight rebounds.
The contest featured 27 lead changes, tying for the second-most in the NBA this season, with both teams operating shorthanded. Minnesota played without Edwards, and Golden State was without Draymond Green due to injury.
Momentum swung to Minnesota in the fourth quarter, opening with a 20-7 burst that gave them a 10-point cushion with five minutes remaining. Curry and Moses Moody then sparked a late flurry with back-to-back 3-pointers to cut the gap to 108-104.
Golden State briefly climbed in front at 118-117 after Curry’s free throw with 1:37 remaining, but Gobert answered with a go-ahead dunk and DiVincenzo’s 3 extended the Wolves’ edge to 123-118 with 28 seconds left. Minnesota finished the game with a 10-2 run to seal it.
Curry came out hot, knocking down his first three attempts and tallying eight of Golden State’s first 12 points upon his return.
Upcoming schedules:
- Timberwolves visit the Sacramento Kings on Sunday.
- Warriors head to Portland to face the Trail Blazers on Sunday.
Source: AP NBA
