BREAKING: Curry returns, Edwards ruled out, and the Timberwolves Warriors rematch just flipped
SAN FRANCISCO, 7:00 p.m. PT at Chase Center. I can confirm Stephen Curry is active for Golden State tonight after clearing a left quad contusion. Minnesota will not have Anthony Edwards, who is out with right foot soreness. The playoff rematch from last spring now carries a different tone, a different pace, and a new set of matchups.
Curry back, Edwards out, and the chessboard changes
Curry changes everything for the Warriors. His movement bends defenses. His shooting turns modest screens into panic. Expect Golden State to lean into split actions and quick-hitters to get him early rhythm. The goal is simple, force Minnesota to chase, switch, and crack.
Edwards’ absence removes Minnesota’s best late-clock answer. He is their north star, their engine. Without him, the Wolves must build through structure. That means more touches for Karl-Anthony Towns at the elbows, more screening traffic for shooters, and heavy pressure on cutters to finish.
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Curry is cleared to play. Edwards and Mike Conley are out. Draymond Green and Al Horford are out for Golden State.
Golden State’s 14th starting look, and the ripple effect
This is the Warriors 14th different starting lineup of the season. It speaks to their reality, constant adjustment, constant audition. No Draymond, for personal reasons, removes their defensive quarterback and best short-roll passer. No Horford, due to sciatic irritation, strips more size and experience from the front line.
So Steve Kerr is likely to go wing heavy, switch across two through four, and live with scrambles. The Warriors need Andrew Wiggins and Jonathan Kuminga to win their lanes. They need Klay Thompson’s gravity to discourage digs against Curry. The second unit becomes vital as well. Expect extra minutes for energetic wings and quick guards who can keep the pace high and the floor spaced.
Minnesota will test that with force. Rudy Gobert’s screening, Towns’ pop threat, and the Wolves size can punish small lineups on the glass. Golden State must team rebound, tag in the paint, and limit second chances.
With Draymond and Horford out, Golden State’s defense leans on wings and collective rebounding, not traditional size.
How Minnesota must manufacture points
No Edwards, no Conley, and rookie guard Joan Beringer is also unavailable. The Wolves will lean on structure and size. Towns is the keystone. Expect high-low looks with Gobert, corner spacing, and dribble handoffs to free Towns into rhythm threes. They will also hunt mismatches in the post, then kick to shooters.
Late in games, the handle and creation load fall to secondary options. That means more organized sets, fewer freelance isolations. The margin for turnovers shrinks. Their defense can still travel. Minnesota’s length at the point of attack, plus Gobert behind the play, can flatten runs and keep them within reach.
- Keys to watch tonight:
- Curry’s minutes and shot volume in his return
- Towns’ usage bump without Edwards
- The rebounding battle, especially when the Warriors go small
- Minnesota’s late-game shot creation
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Odds, narrative, and why this one matters in December
Books opened with Golden State as a slight favorite at around minus 1.5. The total hovered at 224.5. Those numbers capture the push and pull well. Curry lifts the Warriors offense, but their defense is missing core pieces. Minnesota loses star scoring, but still owns a strong defensive identity and a frontcourt edge.
This is not just a winter game. It is a memory test from May. Minnesota ousted Golden State in the 2025 semifinals. The Wolves proved they could win the fight and the line of scrimmage. The Warriors have not forgotten that edge. Tonight is a chance to reclaim some of it, to show their smaller units can still play big in big moments.
Chase Center will feel that playoff hum. Fans know the stakes are more than the standings. These are measuring stick minutes, a culture check for two teams with long springs in mind.
Tip at 7:00 p.m. PT on NBA TV and NBC Sports Bay Area. Radio on 95.7 The Game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is playing and who is out?
A: Stephen Curry is in. Draymond Green and Al Horford are out for the Warriors. Anthony Edwards and Mike Conley are out for the Timberwolves. Rookie Joan Beringer is also unavailable.
Q: Why is this matchup a big deal?
A: It is a rematch of the 2025 Western Conference Semifinals. The teams know each other well. Emotions and tactics are both in play.
Q: What are the betting lines?
A: The Warriors were slight favorites at about minus 1.5, with the total near 224.5.
Q: What changes without Edwards for Minnesota?
A: More offense runs through Karl-Anthony Towns. Expect structured sets, more ball movement, and a focus on size and rebounding.
Q: How can Golden State cover for missing Draymond and Horford?
A: Switchable wings, team rebounding, and pace. The Warriors need multiple contributors around Curry to stabilize both ends.
Conclusion: The headline tonight is simple. Curry is back, Edwards is not, and the rematch needle has moved. The Warriors push pace and spacing. The Timberwolves lean on structure and size. December does not settle a series, but it can send a message. Tonight, both teams plan to deliver one.
