Timberwolves snap losing streak vs. undermanned Warriors
Anthony Edwards had 42 points to lead seven Minnesota players in double figures as the Timberwolves snapped a three-game losing streak with a 127-117 win over the Golden State Warriors on Friday in San Francisco.
Rudy Gobert scored 18 points, Jaden McDaniels added 15, and Naz Reid and Ayo Dosunmu added 12 apiece for Minnesota, which led by as many as 25 and won the season series against the Warriors 3-1. Bones Hyland tallied 11 points and Julius Randle added 10.
Golden State dropped its fourth straight and fell for the sixth time in the past seven. The Warriors rallied to pull within 109-102 with 8:37 left before Minnesota regained control to deny Golden State's Steve Kerr his 600th career coaching win.
Brandin Podziemski led the Warriors with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis added 20 points, Gui Santos had 17 points and a career-high eight assists, and De'Anthony Melton and Gary Payton II scored 12 points apiece.
With Draymond Green (injury management) and Stephen Curry (right knee soreness) sidelined, Golden State used 11 players in the first quarter and trailed 31-28 at the end of the period.
After being held to 36.4% shooting in the opening quarter, the Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 38-20 on 68.2% shooting in the second.
Minnesota held a 46-39 advantage with 8:03 left in the second quarter before closing on a 23-9 run to lead 69-48 at the half.
Edwards scored 20 points in the first half for Minnesota, while Porzingis had 13 for Golden State.
The Timberwolves extended their lead to 73-48 when Edwards drove for a layup early in the third quarter. The Warriors battled back and closed the period on a 10-0 run to cut the deficit to 100-87.
Golden State played its 16th straight game without Curry, who will be evaluated again late next week. The Warriors have gone 5-11 during Curry's absence.
The Warriors were down to eight healthy players after Al Horford (right calf tightness), Seth Curry (left adductor soreness) and Quinten Post (left ankle sprain) exited with injuries during the game.