Steph Curry has witnessed the Golden State Warriors falter in the fourth quarter too often this season, letting games slip away with cold shooting and missed opportunities. Determined not to let history repeat itself, Curry took control in the final moments of Saturday’s road game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With the Warriors clinging to a narrow two-point lead and less than four minutes remaining, Curry orchestrated a decisive 11-2 run, effectively sealing a 113-103 victory for his team. He finished the night with an impressive 31 points and 10 assists, snapping the Warriors’ three-game losing streak. Notably, this was their first win since defeating the Timberwolves on December 8, when Curry also delivered a 30-point performance.
The Warriors built a commanding 21-point lead in the second quarter, but recent struggles made such advantages feel precarious. Over their previous 2-9 skid, Golden State frequently squandered double-digit leads, leaving fans anxious even when the team appeared dominant. True to form, the Timberwolves mounted a comeback, regaining the lead early in the fourth quarter with 10:15 left on the clock.
However, this time the Warriors didn’t crumble. Instead, they showed resilience, relying on clutch shooting, solid free-throw execution, and timely defensive plays to hold off Minnesota. Rudy Gobert’s missed and-one opportunity after his go-ahead basket proved pivotal, while Jonathan Kuminga responded with critical free throws, converting three of his next four attempts. As a team, Golden State went 9-for-10 from the charity stripe in the final quarter, outpacing the Timberwolves, who shot just 6-for-10. Gobert, in particular, struggled at the line, going 0-for-3.
The turning point came courtesy of Curry’s brilliance. With Golden State barely holding onto a 96-94 lead, Curry hit a momentum-shifting three-pointer. Moments later, he drew a foul on Jaden McDaniels and sank both free throws. After Andrew Wiggins blocked Julius Randle, Curry sank another three, followed by a deep 25-footer that effectively ended Minnesota’s hopes. It was another signature “Curry Flurry” that turned a nail-biter into a comfortable win.
Golden State achieved this victory despite being shorthanded. Draymond Green was sidelined with ankle soreness—or possibly avoiding proximity to Gobert after their earlier altercation this season. In his absence, the Warriors adjusted their lineup, starting Kyle Anderson and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis in the frontcourt. Jackson-Davis rose to the occasion, delivering one of the best performances of his young career. Tasked with guarding Gobert, the rookie notched 15 points on an efficient 7-for-8 shooting, along with nine rebounds, two assists, and two blocks. Eight of his points came in the critical fourth quarter, where he made a series of big plays, including scoring on three consecutive possessions and a putback dunk off a Kuminga miss.
Another standout feature of Golden State’s fourth-quarter performance was their aggression at the rim. The Warriors recorded four dunks in the final period, a stark contrast to their recent struggles in closing out games. One of the most emphatic moments came when Wiggins threw down an alley-oop from Gary Payton II, putting an exclamation point on the game as the Timberwolves’ chances faded.
Wiggins, while quiet offensively with just nine points on 3-for-11 shooting, made his impact felt on the defensive end. He tallied three steals and two blocks, helping the Warriors limit Minnesota to just 37 points in the first half. Kuminga had a similarly inconsistent shooting night, also going 3-for-11, but contributed 11 points overall. Role players like Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Gary Payton II stepped up as well. Podziemski added 12 points and seven rebounds, while Payton dished out four assists and posted a team-high +12 plus/minus (among non-Curry players). Importantly, all 10 Warriors who saw action registered at least one assist, underscoring their commitment to sharing the ball and playing as a cohesive unit. The team collectively recorded 30 assists for the game.
For Minnesota, it was a frustrating night, particularly for star guard Anthony Edwards. Edwards struggled with his shot, going 6-for-20 from the field, though he managed to score 19 points, tying Donte DiVincenzo for the team high. Gobert had a solid stat line with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but his free-throw struggles loomed large in the loss. Adding to the narrative, Gobert may have had flashbacks to the 2021 Olympic gold medal game, where Team USA—led by Curry—secured victory over France with a barrage of three-pointers that left Gobert and his teammates reeling.
Ultimately, the Warriors’ win was a testament to their perseverance and adaptability. Despite their struggles this season, they showcased the resilience of a championship-caliber team, led by the unwavering brilliance of Curry. His late-game heroics once again proved why he’s one of the most clutch players in NBA history, and his performance breathed life into a Warriors squad desperately seeking momentum.
The victory not only snapped their losing streak but also demonstrated the importance of contributions from across the roster. Jackson-Davis’ emergence as a reliable option in the paint, coupled with timely defensive plays from Wiggins and Payton, provided a much-needed boost. The team’s ability to close out the game with energy and precision—hallmarks of their title-winning campaigns—offered a glimmer of hope for the road ahead.
For now, Golden State will look to build on this win as they aim to regain consistency and climb the Western Conference standings. The Timberwolves, on the other hand, will have to regroup and find ways to improve their execution in critical moments. As the season progresses, both teams will be tested, but Saturday’s game served as a reminder of the Warriors’ potential when they play to their strengths. With Curry leading the charge and young talents like Jackson-Davis stepping up, Golden State may still have plenty to offer in their pursuit of another deep playoff run.
