In a thrilling rematch, the Golden State Warriors overcame a slow start to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-106, snapping their 4-game winning streak. With Buddy Hield and Stephen Curry—dubbed the “New Splash Brothers”—draining 12 three-pointers combined, the Warriors staged a spectacular second-half comeback and capitalized on the Timberwolves’ late-game collapse.
If you missed this game, don’t worry—I’m here to break down the chaos, Curry magic, and the Wolves’ untimely case of scoring amnesia in the final minutes.
A Rough Start for the Warriors
The Warriors opened the game looking as cold as San Francisco Bay in January. Coach Steve Kerr decided to shake things up, moving Brandin Podziemski and Kevon Looney to the bench while promoting Buddy Hield and Gary Payton II to the starting lineup.
Unfortunately, the new lineup didn’t click immediately. Golden State shot a meager 34.6% in the first quarter, hitting just 2 of 12 from three. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, took full advantage, closing the quarter up 30-21.
Hield Sparks a Comeback
The second quarter saw Buddy Hield switch from mortal to flamethrower. He kicked off Golden State’s comeback, knocking down a few timely threes and breathing life into the offense. Then, it was Stephen Curry’s turn to shine. Curry played both inside and outside, scoring 10 straight points to cut into Minnesota’s lead.
But the Timberwolves refused to go quietly. Donte DiVincenzo, playing against his former team, responded with two clutch threes of his own. At halftime, the Warriors still trailed by 9 points, with the Timberwolves ahead 57-48.
Third Quarter Explosion: Warriors Go Nuclear
The third quarter was nothing short of a Warriors masterclass. Buddy Hield picked up right where he left off, hitting three triples early in the quarter, while Jonathan Kuminga quietly dominated. Kuminga’s efficient shooting (5-for-4, 11 points in the quarter) sparked a massive 27-16 run that flipped the script.
Golden State’s shooting in the third was downright insane—over 70% from the field—as they torched the Timberwolves for 44 points in 12 minutes. By the end of the quarter, the Warriors led by 3 points and had all the momentum.
Timberwolves Collapse: 4 Minutes of Nothingness
Minnesota fought back early in the fourth. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, coming off the bench like a man possessed, hit two clutch threes and scored 10 points to help the Wolves retake the lead. With Anthony Edwards’ three-pointer, Minnesota was suddenly up 106-105 with 4:47 to play.
And then… disaster struck.
The Timberwolves’ offense hit a wall—a giant, brick wall. Over the final 4 minutes and 47 seconds, they:
- Missed 9 straight shots
- Committed critical turnovers
- Blew free throws
It was a masterclass in “how not to close a game.” Meanwhile, the Warriors pounced.
- Curry set up Kuminga for a thunderous dunk.
- Buddy Hield drilled his seventh three-pointer of the game.
- The Warriors finished on a 9-0 run to slam the door shut.
Final score? 114-106. Timberwolves fans were left staring into the void, wondering how it all went wrong.
The ‘New Splash Brothers’ Shine Bright
The real story of the night was the “New Splash Brothers”—Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield. Together, they combined for:
- 12 three-pointers
- 57 points
Curry led all scorers with 30 points and 8 assists, reminding us all that Father Time has yet to catch him. Meanwhile, Hield dropped 27 points with 7 threes, leaving him just one step away from becoming the 17th player in NBA history to reach 2,000 career threes.
Jonathan Kuminga also played a pivotal role, adding 20 points and 7 rebounds with a calm, consistent performance.
Timberwolves’ Late-Game Woes
Minnesota, on the other hand, collapsed spectacularly when it mattered most. Anthony Edwards led the Wolves with 27 points, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 19 points off the bench. However, their offensive struggles in crunch time proved costly.
Julius Randle, though reliable on the boards with 11 rebounds, managed just 14 points, unable to lift the team during their late-game meltdown.
Key Stats
Golden State Warriors:
- Stephen Curry: 30 points, 8 assists
- Buddy Hield: 27 points, 7 threes, 3 steals
- Jonathan Kuminga: 20 points, 7 rebounds
Minnesota Timberwolves:
- Anthony Edwards: 27 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker: 19 points
- Julius Randle: 14 points, 11 rebounds
FAQs
A scorching hot third quarter, where they shot over 70% and scored 44 points, flipped the game in Golden State’s favor.
Stephen Curry (30 points, 8 assists) and Buddy Hield (27 points, 7 threes) carried the team, earning the nickname “New Splash Brothers.”
Minnesota went scoreless in the final 4 minutes and 47 seconds, missing 9 straight shots and committing costly mistakes.
Golden State will face the Houston Rockets in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, aiming to extend their 15-game winning streak over Houston.
Conclusion
The Warriors’ 114-106 revenge win over the Timberwolves was a reminder that Golden State thrives in chaos. The “New Splash Brothers”, Stephen Curry and Buddy Hield, stole the show with 12 combined threes, while Minnesota’s offense vanished when it mattered most.
For the Warriors, this victory builds momentum heading into their NBA Cup matchup against the Rockets. For the Timberwolves, it’s back to the drawing board as they prepare to face the Lakers.
One thing’s for sure: when the Warriors get hot, there’s no stopping the rain of threes. Timberwolves fans will just have to pretend the final 4 minutes never happened.
