Stephen Curry scored 39 points in his return from a five-game absence, but the Golden State Warriors fell 127–120 to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Center on Friday. Curry reflected on his performance and the team’s late-game struggles in the postgame press conference.
“I felt pretty good to start and normal like middle of the game… individually it was a good first game back just to get my lungs back and feel like myself,” Curry said, describing his return from a bruised left quadriceps.
Curry pointed to Minnesota’s fourth-quarter run as the key turning point. “We had a rough start to the fourth where we were up three and ended up being down 12. Against a good team, you give it everything you’ve got. Thankfully, we got back in the game, took a lead for a certain point, but then you’re at the mercy of a couple makes here, a couple misses there.”
The Warriors struggled against the Timberwolves’ size and frontcourt dominance. “Gobert and Randle had 51 combined,” Curry said. “With Rudy, you try to keep a body on him, but he made his presence felt driving lanes, offensive rebounds, drop-down passes, everything at the rim. That’s tough to overcome without Draymond and Al.”
Curry highlighted his fourth-quarter effort. “We were only going to score five points until like seven minutes in the fourth, so you want to be aggressive. You shoot the shots you think you can make, get the ball moving in transition, which helps, but it just wasn’t enough.”
He explained his offensive approach this season, noting improvement in two-point shooting and getting to the free-throw line. “I try to balance using the three as a threat so I can get into the paint. You have to be crafty, see lanes to drive, get to the rim with some touch, and use the three to open those opportunities.”
On the physical demands of returning from injury, Curry said, “The attempts aren’t really what wears you out. It’s more being on-ball, pick-and-roll, running off-ball. It’s about sustained effort during the game, rest periods, and rhythm.”
Curry also praised contributions from his teammates. “Melt [De’Anthony Melton] was awesome off the bench, driving, getting to the foul line. QP [Quinten Post] had a great game. Mo [Moses Moody] in the fourth was awesome. We’ll need contributions from everybody no matter who’s out there.”
He discussed playing alongside Pat Spencer in the backcourt. “It was cool, reminiscent of Jared Jack back in the day. He can handle the ball while I go off-ball, initiate actions, and move the ball. Anybody with high IQ I can play next to.”
The Warriors will aim to rebound in Portland on Sunday against the Trail Blazers, with Curry expected to continue building his rhythm in the rotation.
