Warriors Exposed by Timberwolves in Size Disparity
The Golden State Warriors faced a stark reality in their 127-120 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as their lack of size was laid bare. Timberwolves big men Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert, and Naz Reid combined for an impressive 69 points on 25-of-41 shooting. The Warriors were outmatched in the paint, outscored 66-44, a statistic that underscores their struggles in the absence of Draymond Green (personal reasons) and Al Horford (sciatica).
Kerr’s Controversial Decisions
Head coach Steve Kerr’s decisions regarding player rotations during this crucial game raised eyebrows, especially concerning Jonathan Kuminga and Gui Santos. Despite the Warriors’ pressing need for size, Kuminga, standing at 6’7″, did not see the court at all, while Santos played just six minutes. When asked about Kuminga’s second consecutive DNP (Did Not Play), Kerr explained, “Right now it’s where things are. You saw Gui come in for six minutes and he lit up the crowd with his energy and the ball movement. That was maybe the best stretch of the game for our offense, just with flow. With Pat [Spencer] playing as well as he is, it’s just where it is right now. It can change very quickly, as you all know.”
Evaluating Kuminga’s Performance
Prior to this game, Kuminga had struggled, averaging 7.8 points on just 30 percent shooting over his last four outings. He recorded eight assists but also had eight turnovers, making his benching somewhat justified. However, with the Warriors facing a size disadvantage against a team Kuminga had previously exploited in the playoffs, the decision not to utilize him becomes more perplexing. Even if the franchise is reportedly leaning towards trading him when eligible on January 15, they should leverage his talents when the situation demands it.
The Santos Dilemma
Kerr’s praise for Santos after his brief but energetic stint raises questions. Santos did indeed bring a spark during his five minutes in the second quarter, showing potential to contribute defensively alongside Quinten Post. Yet, his playing time was limited, and he did not return until the 7:23 mark of the fourth quarter, by which time the Timberwolves had already established momentum with an 11-0 run.
In that critical stretch, Santos faced a significant mismatch against the Wolves’ lineup, which featured Jimmy Butler at power forward. The Warriors’ smaller lineup quickly fell victim to this matchup, culminating in easy baskets for Minnesota, including a putback dunk from Gobert and driving layups from Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.
Size Issues and Tactical Missteps
While it’s uncertain if Santos could have entirely thwarted the Timberwolves’ scoring onslaught, he would have likely offered more resistance than the undersized Warriors. His brief re-entry into the game coincided with missed opportunities for Golden State, as Stephen Curry and Spencer failed to capitalize on open shots, allowing Minnesota to extend their lead.
The Warriors’ roster configuration contributed to their struggles. With only 48 minutes allocated to centers and 43 to forwards, the imbalance became evident. Ideally, a more equitable distribution would allocate 96 minutes each to forwards and guards.
Moving Forward
The Warriors will need to reassess their strategy moving forward, particularly in the absence of Green. The reliance on small ball lineups against larger opponents has proven detrimental. It might be time for Kerr to place greater trust in both Santos and Kuminga, tapping into their potential to address the team’s evident size challenges.
