Stephen Curry delivered a dominant performance, scoring 11 consecutive points in the fourth quarter to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 113-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night. Curry finished with 31 points, including seven 3-pointers, and added 10 assists to cap off a stellar night.
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Trayce Jackson-Davis contributed 15 points and nine rebounds, while Brandin Podziemski added 12 points for Golden State. Despite a valiant comeback attempt by Minnesota, the Warriors held firm after surrendering a 21-point first-half lead.
Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo led the Timberwolves with 19 points each, and Rudy Gobert posted 18 points and 12 rebounds. After a slow start in which they made just 6 of 22 shots in each of the first two quarters, the Timberwolves came alive in the third, outscoring Golden State 38-28 and briefly taking the lead.
However, the Warriors responded with a decisive run late in the game. With just under four minutes remaining and the Warriors up by two, Curry hit a critical 3-pointer following an Edwards missed free throw, then sealed the game with two more triples and a pair of free throws to push Golden State’s lead to 107-96.
The game was a stark contrast to Thursday’s loss, where the Warriors were overwhelmed by the Grizzlies, allowing a franchise-record 27 3-pointers. This time, they clamped down defensively, holding Minnesota to just 41.9% shooting overall. Let’s grade the Warriors players for their performances tonight.
Stephen Curry: A
Stats: 31 PTS, 3 REB, 10 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 1 PF, 10-21 FG, 7-16 3PT, 4-5 FT, +20, 34 MIN
Stephen Curry put on a show in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 consecutive points to seal the Warriors’ win. His 31-point, 10-assist performance was crucial in securing Golden State’s victory, with his clutch shooting and playmaking standing out. Curry hit seven 3-pointers, including three in the final minutes, showcasing his ability to dominate when it matters most.
Trayce Jackson-Davis: B+
Stats: 15 PTS, 9 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 2 BLK, 1 TO, 5 PF, 7-8 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, +7, 26 MIN
Trayce Jackson-Davis was an impactful presence for the Warriors, contributing 15 points and 9 rebounds while also making plays on defense with 2 blocks and 1 steal. Though his fouls (5) and lack of a 3-point attempt kept him from reaching an "A" grade, his overall contribution was crucial in the Warriors' win.
Jonathan Kuminga: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 4 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 1 BLK, 1 TO, 0 PF, 3-11 FG, 2-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, +5, 23 MIN
Jonathan Kuminga had an uneven performance, scoring 11 points but struggling with his shooting efficiency (3-11 from the field). He did contribute in other areas, recording 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and a block, but his inconsistent shooting was a slight detractor. Kuminga’s energy and hustle were present, though he still needs to find more consistency with his shot selection.
Buddy Hield: C+
Stats: 11 PTS, 3 REB, 2 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 2 PF, 4-9 FG, 3-8 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 21 MIN
Buddy Hield’s performance mirrored Kuminga’s in some ways—he provided 11 points and some solid perimeter shooting (3-8 from three), but his overall shooting was inconsistent. While he contributed 3 rebounds and 2 assists, his scoring wasn’t enough to fully sway the game in Golden State’s favor.
Andrew Wiggins: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 3 STL, 2 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 3-11 FG, 1-5 3PT, 2-2 FT, -4, 29 MIN
Andrew Wiggins had a quiet night, scoring only 9 points on 3-for-11 shooting. While he contributed defensively with 3 steals and 2 blocks, his shooting struggles and turnover issues (3 TOs) hindered his overall effectiveness. Wiggins wasn’t able to provide the expected offensive spark, though he played a part in the team’s defensive efforts.
Dennis Schroder: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST, 1 STL, 3 BLK, 4 TO, 4 PF, 3-8 FG, 0-4 3PT, 3-4 FT, -9, 28 MIN
Dennis Schroder had an underwhelming performance, contributing 9 points but struggling with his shooting (3-8 from the field and 0-4 from three). He did dish out 3 assists and grab 2 rebounds, but his 4 turnovers and lack of scoring efficiency kept his grade at a C+.
Kevon Looney: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, +3, 22 MIN
Kevon Looney had a solid but unspectacular outing, finishing with 5 points and 8 rebounds in just 22 minutes. His presence on the boards was valuable, but he was less effective offensively, with just two field goals. Looney’s lack of scoring impact and limited contribution outside of rebounding kept him from a higher grade.
Gary Payton II: C+
Stats: 7 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 3 TO, 3 PF, 2-3 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT, +13, 21 MIN
Gary Payton II filled in with 7 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists, but his shooting was a bit inconsistent (2-3 from the field, 0-1 from three). Payton’s effort was visible on both ends, though his turnovers (3 TOs) and lack of scoring efficiency dragged down his overall performance.
Kyle Anderson: C
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-1 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 17 MIN
Kyle Anderson struggled to find his rhythm, finishing with only 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists in 17 minutes. While he made 1-of-1 from three, his shooting from the field (1-4) was inefficient, and he wasn’t able to provide the impact expected from a seasoned player.
Brandin Podziemski: D
Stats: PTS, 0 REB, 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, 0, 21 MIN
Brandin Podziemski had a rough night, contributing zero points, rebounds, assists, or any other stats. He was on the floor for 21 minutes but was unable to make any impact on either end of the court.
