Curry Drops 39 in Return, But Warriors’ Defense Falters in Loss to Timberwolves

SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry’s highly anticipated return from a two-week absence due to a quad injury was nothing short of spectacular. In just 32 minutes, Curry poured in 39 points to lead the Golden State Warriors against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.

But despite Curry’s explosive performance, the Warriors’ defensive struggles overshadowed his return. Golden State fell 127-120 to a Timberwolves team missing star Anthony Edwards, extending their inconsistent season and leaving them with a 13-13 record.

A Dubious Defensive Showing
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words when discussing his team’s defensive woes. “Our defense let us down tonight,” he said after the game.

The Warriors, who had been playing some of the best defense in the league without Curry, had held four of their previous five opponents under 100 points. Entering the game ranked third in the NBA in defensive rating, the Warriors seemed primed for a strong showing. But with key defensive players Draymond Green absent due to personal reasons and Al Horford sidelined by sciatica, the Warriors’ defense struggled to contain Minnesota’s big men.

Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle dominated the paint, combining for 51 points and 23 rebounds. The absence of Green and Horford left the Warriors vulnerable on the interior, and the Timberwolves capitalized.

Curry’s Impressive Return
Despite the loss, Curry was outstanding in his first game back. After missing five games, the two-time MVP looked sharp from the start, scoring 10 points in his first eight-minute stint. He finished the game with 39 points on 28 shot attempts, including 14 points in the fourth quarter alone.

“I started to feel normal again,” Curry said, reflecting on his comeback. “So individually, it was a good first game back just to get my lungs back and feel like myself.”

Curry’s hot shooting kept the Warriors in the game as they trailed by double digits in the final period. He hit three 3-pointers in a crucial stretch, trying to spark a comeback and bring Golden State within striking distance.

“He looked great,” Kerr said of Curry’s performance. “Just the movement, the flow. I asked him how he was feeling after the first eight-minute run in the first quarter, and he said, ‘I feel great.'”

Warriors’ Offensive Inconsistencies
While Curry’s return was a bright spot, the Warriors’ ongoing offensive inefficiencies continue to plague them. Golden State ranks 22nd in the NBA in offensive rating, and the team’s struggles were evident on Friday. Despite Curry’s 39 points, the Warriors couldn’t find enough consistent scoring outside of him.

“We have several issues to solve,” Curry admitted. “But a fresh and available Curry is a major boost.”

The loss also continued a frustrating trend for the Warriors. With a win, they could have closed the gap to just 1½ games behind the Timberwolves for the sixth spot in the Western Conference. Instead, Golden State now finds themselves 3½ games behind, another missed opportunity to build momentum against a Timberwolves team playing without its best player.

Looking Ahead
With Curry back in the fold, the Warriors will hope to bounce back and address their defensive and offensive inconsistencies. As the team navigates a competitive Western Conference, the return of Curry is undoubtedly a positive sign, but the Warriors will need to find ways to shore up their defense and get more contributions from their supporting cast.