Stephen Curry scored 44 points, his 46th game of 40 or more since turning 30, an NBA record, as the Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-114 on Wednesday night in Minneapolis. He needed his best statistical night of the early season to secure the win.
The Warriors’ coaching staff built the game plan around drawing Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert out of the paint. They ran high-screen action with Curry in the first half to pull Gobert into space, and it worked. The Timberwolves, playing their first game since losing Anthony Edwards to an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee, struggled with their coverage on the back end, and Curry exploited the gaps.
The contrast with two nights earlier was stark. The Denver Nuggets sold out to stop Curry on Monday, and he took only one shot in the first half, finishing an efficient but quiet 8-of-8 from the field. On Wednesday, he launched six shots in the first seven minutes and 10 more in the second quarter. At halftime, he had 23 points on 8-of-16 shooting, including five 3-pointers. The fifth came from 31 feet, a bold attempt that signaled he was in rhythm.
Lendeborg Impresses Again
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg also starred. He finished with 26 points and nine rebounds, but Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Lendeborg was frustrated after the game because of his seven turnovers. “I played hella soft today,” Lendeborg said. Earlier, he had marveled at Curry’s play. “I’m just watching like, man, this guy is good as hell,” Lendeborg said. “It’s crazy. I caught myself shaking my head a couple times.”
Golden State led by as many as 24 points, but Minnesota forced a series of turnovers, pushed the pace and threatened deep into the fourth quarter. Curry steadied the Warriors down the stretch. He dove for a loose ball in the third quarter and played more than 30 minutes for the first time this season. In the fourth quarter, he made all seven of his free throws in the final eight minutes and finished 16-of-16 from the line.
A Bounce-Back Road Trip
The Warriors opened the season with three straight losses, including a 12-point collapse in the final three minutes of their home opener against the Memphis Grizzlies. They have since responded. Lendeborg produced 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in Denver on Monday, and Golden State won that game decisively before holding off Minnesota.
“We still have a lot of things to [improve], but you like learning lessons while you’re winning,” Curry said. “The 2-1 road trip is great. Step in the right direction.” He added, “There’s a slight bit of relief. But still an understanding that in the Memphis game, the second half tonight, we know we can play better.”
The Warriors return to San Francisco for a six-game homestand that opens Friday night against Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers. Lakers won the season opener against Golden State, and Lendeborg had a memorable confrontation with Doncic that carried into the postgame news conferences. Asked whether he was looking forward to the rematch, Lendeborg said, “Absolutely.” He added, “Yes, I am. I’ll talk about that more on Friday.”