Final score: Wolves 107, Warriors 90: Edwards’ 30 points extends streak to four

On December 7, 2024By Littum

The start — Heat out of the blocks

Both teams came out of the gates blazing. In fact, a combined 14 different players from both teams scored at least one field goal in the quarter. The most surprising part? Both Anthony Edwards and Steph Curry went scoreless for three to four minutes of the game. However, we had early inklings of revenge games. Our old friend, Andrew Wiggins, rattled in seven points before any of the aforementioned stars had a single point. For the Minnesota Timberwolves, Donte DiVincenzo, who spent one season with Golden State Warriorshad five points, three assists and a block in his first shift.

Minnesota’s early six-point lead was short-lived as it was only a matter of time before Curry showed up to the party. It took him three minutes to score his first five points, helping the Warriors go on a late 10-2 run and completely erase that advantage. The Wolves got some vindication in the form of a Rudy Gobert and a dunk off a Draymond Green foul that kept the game tied 31-31 after one quarter of play. It marked a period in which Minnesota won the points in the paint battle 14-4.

The middle — Keeps a tired and injured team at bay

The Wolves have made a concerted effort to increase defensive intensity and offense in transition recently. They used the second quarter to demonstrate the keys to their success. Once again, we saw Gobert jump the passing lane for a steal, leading to an alley-oop. Out of many of the Warriors’ careless turnovers and missed shots, Minnesota pushed the ball with pace and found success.

Meanwhile, we saw several glimpses of “the old wolves” defense. They were in Golden State jerseys and pushed the lead well over double digits, capped by Green’s foul campaign. After marginal contact by Randle on a rebound attempt, Green laid on the floor and “begged” for a whistle that never came. What ensued was a technical foul which was merciful as any other player would surely have been sent off for their behaviour.

The massive 23-2 Minnesota run felt like it could have been the knockout punch against the fourth-oldest team at the end of a back-to-back. Unfortunately, by the time we learned of this iteration of the Wolves, they were undergoing an offensive blackout. Their poor offensive decision-making was due to Edwards not being able to hit doubles on the catch, which tied it all together. That directly fueled the Warriors’ rotten offense, allowing them to respond with an 11-2 run of their own. A 56-46 Minnesota lead at the half left Golden State within a stone’s throw.

That rock came flying by as soon as the second half started.

Julius Randle’s lack of effort was the primary fuel for the Warriors’ comeback. His lack of focus and energy led to open three pointers and lost possessions. In just over two minutes, the Wolves lead had all but evaporated as Wolves head coach Chris Finch called a timeout. To Randle’s credit, he did what he could to regain momentum afterward. There were three straight possessions where he played winning basketball, walled up the defense, timely kickouts that led to threes, and also knocked down his own open shots.

This gave Minnesota enough juice for Edwards to chip in another five points. Meanwhile, the home team turned the ball over in what ESPN play-by-play announcer Ryan Ruocco accurately described as “aggressively inaccurate” passes. Similar to the first half, the Wolves did not take advantage of the opportunity to put the game away, staying ahead by around 10 in the latter part of the third. What did this extra gifted time do for the Warriors? Five points in just 11.8 seconds to end the third quarter. That cut the Wolves lead back to just 78-72, which they went on to cut to just three after another Curry triple to start the fourth quarter.

Were the wolves back to their collapsing ways?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors

The ending — Edwards and Gobert to the rescue

Finch had seen enough. He got Edwards back in the game minutes earlier than his usual fourth quarter pattern. The result was something Warrior fans were sick of seeing.

He immediately generated seven points in his first two offensive possessions of the game. You could see the look on the faces of Curry and his teammates as they looked down the barrel of another double-digit hole. Their irritation was visible in their play as they continued to throw passes that would make even high school coaches shut down. After a Steve Kerr timeout to try to stem the bleeding, Golden State got back on the court and turned it over three straight. The Wolves enjoyed 22 Warrior turnovers in the game.

Then shortly after came one of the loudest plays with 6:08 minutes left.

Naz Reid chasing down blocks is becoming a thing. That led directly to a Nickeil Alexander-Walker three ball to go up 13. Then we got the Edwards and Gobert avalanche. Edwards’ offense rolled and scored at all three levels. It unlocked his game. He had three straight dimes to Gobert that led to six points, four of which were of the alley-oop variety.

It felt pretty obvious that Edwards was trying to get Gobert his points against a team that put Green. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year runner-up (Green) spent most of 2024 NBA playoffs on TNT trying to demean a four-time Defensive Player of the Year winner (Gobert), so it must have been good for the Frenchman to get some retribution.

Edwards also had fun. He had to on his Olympic teammate. During the final run, Kerr called another timeout as Edwards paraded around the field yelling at anyone in his vicinity. That included Curry.

Kerr waved the white flag with 2:54 left in the game with the Wolves ahead by 19. It was another feel good win where Minnesota had to face adversity. Did they get to play their third straight opponent at the end of a back-to-back? Sure. But did they take care of business in another convincing win against a team above them in the standings? Absolutely.

Trash talking one of the greatest players of all time, who is going to play you again in 48 hours, may not be wise, but Edwards and the Wolves are willing to put their money where their mouth is. The Warriors were without the services of Wiggins (ankle) and Moses Moody (knee) in the second half, so they may be even more shorthanded for the rematch.

Game highlights

Box Score

Lead Tracker

Commentary of the night

*Randle’s bad stretch is certainly noticeable.*

The Wolves will remain in the Bay Area for a rematch at the Chase Center to push their winning streak to five. They play Golden State Warriors (13-9) on Sunday, 12/8 on 7:30 p.m. CT. A year ago they played two games in a row in San Francisco and in the second game we had this little fracas for those of you who forgot.