Stephen Curry scored a season-high 44 points and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg added 26 as the Golden State Warriors held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-114 on Wednesday night at Target Center, earning their second consecutive victory.
Golden State improved to 2-3 after opening the season with three straight losses. Minnesota fell to 3-2, losing consecutive games after starting 3-0 and playing its first game without Anthony Edwards, who is expected to miss extended time following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.
Curry shot 11-for-27 from the field, made six three-pointers and converted all 16 of his free throws. He also collected eight rebounds and six assists without committing a turnover. Lendeborg shot 11-for-20, including two three-pointers, and finished with nine rebounds.
The Warriors built a 64-48 halftime lead and extended their advantage to as many as 24 points before Minnesota mounted a late comeback. The Timberwolves outscored Golden State 33-26 in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to four at 116-112.
Minnesota had opportunities to make it a one-possession game in the final minute, but Jaden McDaniels missed two three-point attempts. Curry and the Warriors held on to secure the five-point win.
Jonathan Kuminga led Minnesota with 20 points, five assists and three rebounds against his former team. Golden State drafted Kuminga seventh overall in 2021 before trading him to Atlanta midway through last season. He signed with Minnesota as a free agent in September.
McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. added 19 points apiece, while Ayo Dosunmu scored 17. Bones Hyland contributed 13 points off the bench.
LaMelo Ball struggled offensively, finishing with eight points on 3-for-11 shooting, including 2-for-8 from beyond the arc. He recorded eight assists but committed six turnovers. Minnesota shot 44% from the field and 33% from three-point range.
The Warriors made 30 of 37 free throws and finished with 53 rebounds, compared with Minnesota’s 42. Golden State also committed 17 turnovers, two more than the Timberwolves.
Edwards averaged 33.3 points through Minnesota’s first four games before undergoing surgery on his right knee. His absence leaves the Timberwolves without their leading scorer as they attempt to stop their losing streak.
Golden State hosts the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday, while Minnesota welcomes the Los Angeles Clippers that night.
