Donte DiVincenzo’s Late Spark Fuels Timberwolves Past Warriors
In a thrilling finish, Donte DiVincenzo emerged as the late-game hero, contributing eight points in the final 108 seconds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 127-120 victory over the Golden State Warriors. This win marks a significant achievement for the Timberwolves, who improved to 16-9 on the season, particularly impressive given the absence of their star player, Anthony Edwards, sidelined with a foot injury.
Curry’s Return Falls Short
Stephen Curry made a much-anticipated return to the lineup after missing five games due to a quad injury. The star guard put on a dazzling performance, scoring 39 points, but ultimately, his efforts were not enough to secure a win for the Warriors, who now sit at 13-13. Despite his individual brilliance, the club struggled to maintain control over the game, especially in the paint.
Paint Points and Turnovers: A Costly Combination
The battle for points in the paint proved detrimental for the Warriors, as they were decisively outmatched, losing that battle 66-44. Currently, they rank last in the league for points in the paint, averaging only 41.6 per game while allowing a staggering 51.5. This -9.9 point differential is second only to the Brooklyn Nets, highlighting a critical area of concern.
Without Draymond Green, the Warriors turned to their tallest player, Quinten Post, who logged a season-high 33 minutes in an effort to counter Minnesota’s imposing frontcourt. Despite this strategy, the Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert dominated, scoring 12 points in the fourth quarter alone, showcasing his athleticism with four dunks and an alley-oop layup.
However, the paint issue was compounded by another persistent problem: turnovers. The Warriors committed 13 turnovers, which resulted in 18 fast-break points for Minnesota. In stark contrast, the Timberwolves only turned the ball over 10 times, limiting Golden State to 12 fast-break points. With the Timberwolves also outrebounding the Warriors 44-42, it is clear that losing both the paint and turnover battles is not a sustainable path to victory.
Pat Spencer’s Struggles Could Alter Rotation
Amid the chaos on the court, Pat Spencer’s performance in the second half raises questions about his role moving forward. Although he had been solid in previous games, his struggles in this contest could lead to a reduction in minutes. Spencer was a plus-four in the first half but fell to a minus-eight during his stint alongside Curry in the third quarter. When he re-entered the game at the start of the fourth quarter, the Warriors lost their three-point lead, with Spencer finishing the night with just three points and a minus-18 rating in the second half.
While it may seem harsh to reconsider Spencer’s position after one underwhelming performance, the dynamics of his pairing with Curry might warrant a reevaluation by head coach Steve Kerr.
Curry’s Resurgence Offers Hope
Despite the disappointing loss, Curry’s return to form is a positive takeaway. After a taxing outing in his last game, where he struggled with 14 points and seven turnovers, he looked rejuvenated, scoring 39 points in just 32 minutes against Minnesota. Curry responded to a 17-0 run by the Timberwolves in the fourth quarter with a flurry of scoring, including a layup and multiple three-pointers that briefly gave the Warriors a lead.
As the Warriors prepare for a critical three-game stretch, featuring matchups against the Trail Blazers and two games against the Suns, Curry’s performance provides a glimmer of hope. With his health restored, he is poised to make a significant impact as the team seeks to improve their standing in a competitive league.
