Breaking News: Stephen Curry erupts for 39 in return, but Warriors fall short in Minnesota
The shot left the building buzzing before the ball even tipped. Stephen Curry, back after five games out, walked into the tunnel, looked across the court, and launched. Full court. Nothing but net. Then he turned the pregame magic into a 39 point show. The Warriors still lost 127-120 to the Timberwolves, and the night raised bigger questions than it answered. The next 72 hours will define their short term path.
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Curry is back, and the fire is real
Curry moved well. His legs looked live. His rhythm looked sharp. He used his change of pace to pry open the paint. He canned threes off the dribble and off movement. He attacked switches late, trying to drag the Warriors over the line. He almost did.
The problem, again, was everything around him. When the Warriors defend and value the ball, Curry’s shotmaking is the closer. When they do not, his brilliance can become a rescue mission. Minnesota made sure it was the latter.
Curry’s touch from every angle changes spacing. Teammates get wider runways, even when he does not touch the ball.
What decided the game
Minnesota did not blink. Julius Randle scored 27 with power drives and mid post footwork. Rudy Gobert pounded the glass and rolled hard, finishing with 24 points and 14 rebounds. Naz Reid popped out to punish switches for 18. Jaden McDaniels added 17 with timely cuts and spot ups.
Golden State’s math was off. The Warriors shot 32.6 percent from three. They coughed up turnovers in bunches. They gave away second chances. That is a rough mix, even with Curry cooking.
There were bright spots. Quinten Post gave 16 tough points as a pick and pop outlet. Jimmy Butler muscled in 15 and steadied a wobbly second unit. Pat Spencer flashed burst and poise, chipping in 12.
- Keys that swung it: cold threes, live ball turnovers, and Gobert’s control of the paint
- What worked: Curry’s two man actions, Post’s spacing, Butler’s late game poise
Draymond watch, and a depth check
Draymond Green is set to rejoin the team in Portland on Sunday. His status is not locked in yet. He is awaiting final medical clearance, and he was ruled out in Minnesota for personal reasons. The Warriors miss his voice, his screens, and his back line reads. They also miss his edge.
In the meantime, the bench has grown up. Brandin Podziemski is stringing together plays, one smart decision after another. Spencer is earning trust with defense and tempo. Butler has given the locker room a blunt, steady tone. Post has soaked up rotation minutes and hit open looks. This is the identity window. Can they defend for full quarters, not just stretches, while Curry scales back toward his full minute load, and until Draymond is fully back in rhythm
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Green’s timeline is the hinge. If he clears for Sunday, rotations stabilize. If not, expect more small ball creativity, and heavy Curry minutes.
The bigger picture, and the grind ahead
Steve Kerr put words to what coaches say in private. He questioned whether the 82 game grind fits today’s game. Pace is up. Travel never stops. Recovery windows are tight. His point is player health, not headlines. Still, it lands in a week when the Warriors felt every mile.
This team is trying to reconcile two truths. Curry can still ignite a title level offense for a night. The margin around him is thin. That is the tension. It demands cleaner starts, smarter fouls, and a throttle on turnovers. It also asks the veterans to bend, and the kids to rise.
Off the floor, the family steadiness around Curry remains clear. Small moments matter in long seasons. Inside the room, the message tonight was simple. The shot making is back. Now fix the details.
Next up, a road test in Portland on Sunday. Expect Curry to play, and the staff to monitor his minutes late if the game allows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Stephen Curry look in his return
A: Explosive and poised. He scored 39, moved well off the ball, and carried the late push.
Q: Why did the Warriors lose to the Timberwolves
A: Cold three point shooting, too many turnovers, and Minnesota’s balance, led by Gobert and Randle.
Q: What is Draymond Green’s status
A: He is set to rejoin the team in Portland. Final clearance is pending. He was out in Minnesota for personal reasons.
Q: Who stepped up beyond Curry
A: Quinten Post hit shots in space, Jimmy Butler steadied the second unit, and Pat Spencer added pace and defense.
Q: What did Steve Kerr say about the schedule
A: He questioned whether 82 games fits the modern game, citing health and workload concerns.
Conclusion
Curry is back, the shot is still art, and the scoreboard still demands more. The Warriors know exactly what must change, and they know it starts with defense, care of the ball, and full possession focus. Sunday in Portland will tell us if tonight’s spark becomes a stretch run fire. Basketball time. 🏀
