Curry returned with a bang, scoring 39 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists; DiVincenzo contributed 21 points to help the Timberwolves narrowly defeat the Warriors.

On December 13th Beijing time, during the NBA regular season, the Warriors faced the Timberwolves at home, both teams missing important players. The Warriors were without Green and Horford, and the Timberwolves were missing Edwards and Conley. After four quarters, the Warriors lost to the Timberwolves 120-127. Curry scored 39 points with 5 rebounds and 5 assists; Butler added 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists; Poole contributed 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. For the Timberwolves, McDaniels had 17 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists; Randle posted 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists; Gobert scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds; Reid had 18 points, 4 rebounds, and 7 assists; DiVincenzo added 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

In the first quarter, Curry made his first three shots, scoring 8 points, while the Timberwolves responded through Randle, Hyland, and McDaniels. The teams went back and forth with the lead changing hands frequently. Even Curry couldn’t maintain such a high shooting percentage continuously, but Butler, Spencer, and Davis helped cover the scoring drought. Near the end of the quarter, Reid made a layup, putting the Timberwolves ahead 28-27 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, Reid hit two three-pointers, boosting the Timberwolves’ shooting percentage to 40%, with Poole answering from the corner to tie the game again. Hilton’s consecutive three-pointers helped the Warriors take the lead once more, but the Timberwolves used their inside presence effectively, keeping the score close. At the end of the half, Poole hit another three, with the Warriors leading 63-61 over the Timberwolves.

In the second half, the Timberwolves opened with a 6-0 run to force a Warriors timeout. After the break, Curry orchestrated the offense, first hitting a three-pointer himself, then driving and assisting Spencer on a long-range shot, sparking a small Warriors run to regain the lead. The Timberwolves’ interior size was troubling for the Warriors, but when Randle, Reid, and DiVincenzo found their shooting touch from outside, the game’s momentum shifted. Near the end of the third, the Warriors drew fouls inside, catching the Timberwolves off guard. After three quarters, the Warriors led 91-88. In the final quarter, Reid hit a deep shot and Gobert dunked, quickly tying the game. After a timeout, the Warriors struggled to score, allowing the Timberwolves to extend their lead into double digits. This 17-0 run could have been the game’s turning point. Curry and Moody hit threes to stop the bleeding, bringing the suspense back. In the clutch, Curry nailed back-to-back threes to put the Warriors ahead. DiVincenzo’s long-range shot tied it again, sending the game into its decisive moments. In the final minute, Gobert posterized Poole with a dunk, and DiVincenzo’s three-pointer sealed the game. Ultimately, the Timberwolves edged out the Warriors 127-120.

Warriors starters: Curry, Spencer, Hield, Butler, Poole

Timberwolves starters: Hyland, DiVincenzo, McDaniels, Randle, Gobert