As the Warriors Defeat the Wolves, Steph Curry Turns Down a Comeback Attempt
The Golden State Warriors have long been a team synonymous with championship pedigree, shooting brilliance, and the unmatched skills of their star player, Stephen Curry. On a crisp December night in the 2024 NBA season, the Warriors squared off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, a team on the rise, led by the ever-improving Anthony Edwards and a revamped roster. The game was billed as a potential playoff preview, with the Warriors looking to extend their dominance and the Timberwolves aiming to make a statement. But in the end, it wasn’t just the Warriors’ victory that made the headlines—it was Curry’s decision to deny a late-game comeback attempt by the Timberwolves.
First Half: Warriors Surge Ahead
From the opening tip-off, it was clear that Golden State’s offense was clicking. Curry, who has always been a master at dictating tempo, was in vintage form, weaving through defenders with ease, draining threes from distances that only he could reach, and orchestrating the offense with his usual surgical precision. Early on, the Timberwolves struggled to contain him, as Curry dropped 15 points in the first quarter alone. His playmaking was equally spectacular, finding Draymond Green for a few easy buckets and sending Klay Thompson into his sweet spots.
Despite the early fireworks from Curry, Minnesota was not without its own highlights. Anthony Edwards was aggressive from the start, using his athleticism to drive through the Warriors’ defense. Rudy Gobert anchored the Timberwolves defensively, altering shots at the rim and grabbing rebounds, but the team’s offensive rhythm was sporadic. The Warriors’ defense was more than capable of forcing Minnesota into tough shots, with Andrew Wiggins and Kevon Looney providing solid support on that end.
By halftime, Golden State had established a commanding 15-point lead, 65-50. Curry had 23 points, 6 assists, and 4 rebounds, making his presence felt across all aspects of the game.
Third Quarter: Timberwolves Start to Rally
The second half saw a shift in momentum. Minnesota, determined to make a game of it, came out of the locker room with more intensity. Edwards continued to be aggressive, taking control of the ball more often and using his elite scoring ability to get the Timberwolves back into the game. Jaden Ivey, the promising second-year guard, began to settle in, hitting key shots and dishing out assists to set up teammates.
As the third quarter wore on, the Timberwolves started to chip away at the Warriors’ lead. Curry was still scoring, but the intensity from the Wolves’ defense started to affect Golden State’s usually smooth ball movement. Gobert’s presence in the paint was starting to be felt, and Minnesota’s defense tightened up, forcing the Warriors into more difficult shots. The Timberwolves, now energized, found themselves within 7 points midway through the third quarter.
The real shift, however, came when Curry, typically the energizer for the Warriors, was momentarily sidelined after a hard fall following a contested three-point attempt. It wasn’t a severe injury, but it was enough for the Warriors’ medical staff to take a closer look at him. The crowd held its collective breath as Curry walked gingerly off the court, but the diagnosis was reassuring—he’d be back shortly. However, the brief absence allowed the Timberwolves to close the gap, with Edwards taking over offensively. By the end of the third quarter, the Warriors’ once-comfortable lead had shrunk to just 5 points, 88-83.
Fourth Quarter: The Wolves Make Their Move
As the final period began, the Timberwolves sensed an opportunity. Edwards and Ivey continued to find open shots, and Gobert dominated the boards, giving the Wolves multiple second-chance opportunities. The Warriors, now without the immediate presence of Curry on the floor for short stretches, struggled to match Minnesota’s newfound intensity. Klay Thompson, while still a potent shooter, was not finding the same rhythm as he had in the first half, and Draymond Green’s offense was minimal. The gap continued to narrow, and with just under six minutes left in the game, the Timberwolves had managed to tie the game at 102-102.
The Chase Center crowd grew tense, knowing that the Wolves had the momentum, and the game was teetering on the edge. But then, as if on cue, Curry returned to the floor. He didn’t immediately launch into his usual flurry of shots, instead patiently surveying the court, waiting for the right moment to strike. His presence alone was enough to shift the dynamics of the game. The Warriors’ offense began to flow once more, with Curry being the focal point, drawing defenders and creating space for his teammates.
With just under three minutes left, Curry hit a critical step-back three-pointer, his signature shot, to give the Warriors a 5-point lead. The Chase Center erupted as Curry pointed to the sky, acknowledging the gravity of the moment. But the Timberwolves, never ones to back down, responded quickly. Edwards answered with a three-pointer of his own, cutting the lead to just two.
Curry’s Decision: Turning Down the Comeback Attempt
As the Timberwolves inched closer, the game entered its final minute, and Minnesota’s defense intensified. With 45 seconds left, the Warriors led by three, 112-109. Curry had the ball at the top of the key, guarded by Edwards, with the shot clock winding down. A made basket would all but seal the game for the Warriors, and the Timberwolves were pushing hard to force a miss. The ball swung to Curry, who took a moment to survey the defense, knowing full well that a well-timed shot could break Minnesota’s spirit.
However, in a moment that spoke volumes about Curry’s leadership and understanding of the game, he didn’t take the shot. Instead, Curry dribbled, drew the defense, and found a wide-open Draymond Green on the perimeter. Green, known more for his defense and playmaking than his shooting, hesitated for a moment, but Curry was insistent. The Warriors’ leader urged Green to take the shot, signaling his trust in his teammate.
Green, with the shot clock ticking down, took the open three-pointer. The ball soared through the air—an attempt that could either seal the win or give Minnesota one last chance to complete a comeback. The ball swished through the net cleanly, extending the Warriors’ lead to six. It was a calculated risk from Curry, who knew that if the shot missed, the Wolves would have one final opportunity to tie the game. But it was a move grounded in trust and team-first mentality, knowing that a wide-open Draymond Green was more likely to make the shot than force an ill-advised three-pointer himself.
The Timberwolves called a quick timeout, but at this point, the game was essentially decided. The Warriors had weathered the storm, and with Curry orchestrating the final moments, they held on to win 118-112. It was a hard-fought victory, but one that showcased Curry’s unselfishness and high basketball IQ.
Post-Game Reflections
After the game, Curry was asked about his decision to pass the ball to Green for the game-sealing three. His response was measured and full of the humility that has defined his career:
“Look, it’s not about me. It’s about making the right play. I trust Draymond. I’ve seen him make big shots in big moments before. He’s a champion, and that’s what matters. We win as a team, and tonight, it wasn’t about me scoring the last bucket. It was about getting the win.”
Green echoed the sentiment in his own post-game interview: “We’ve got a lot of weapons on this team. Tonight, Steph could have taken the shot, but he saw I was open. That’s what makes him special—he sees the whole game, and he trusts his teammates. We’re all in this together.”
While Curry’s decision to pass may have seemed like a subtle move in the grand context of the game, it underscored a theme that has been central to the Warriors’ success over the past decade: the unselfish, team-oriented approach that defines their dynasty. Even in moments when his individual brilliance could have taken center stage, Curry demonstrated why he is the ultimate leader. He chose not to allow a comeback, not with a single play or a single shot, but by doing exactly what he always does: making the right play at the right moment.
In the end, the Warriors were victorious, and the Timberwolves, while disappointed, had shown that they could compete with the best. But it was Curry’s unyielding commitment to the team, his patience, and his leadership that ultimately kept the comeback at bay. For the Timberwolves, it was a valuable learning experience. For the Warriors, it was another win—and a reminder that sometimes the most crucial shot is the one you don’t take.
