After their impressive 103-102 win over the defending Western Conference champions, the young Minnesota Timberwolves celebrated as they made their way off the court. The two teams played in front of the largest crowd ever for a Wolves’ game at Target Center. It was announced that 20,412 fans in total watched the game. However, it is assessed that one of the reasons for the sold-out crowd was not only the performance of the home team but also the fact that Golden State fans were anxious to see MVP Stephen Curry in person. The Timberwolves notched a win over the team they’d likely face in the first round if they’re able to leapfrog three teams and earn the final playoff spot.
The players
Andrew Wiggins scored 24 points and hit the go-ahead free throws with only 12.8 seconds left, to help the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Golden State Warriors 103-102. Ricky Rubio tallied 17 points, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 23 to give the Minnesota Timberwolves their sixth win in just eight games. The Timberwolves continue to chase the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Klay Thompson led all scorers for the Warriors with 30 points, but one of the reasons of the sell-out crowd, Stephen Curry, continued his shooting slump as he may have scored 26 points, but was just 10 for 27 from the field and 1 for 8 from 3-point range. Steph missed an 18-footer in the last seconds, right after Wiggins’ free throws, that would have won the game.
This was Warriors' second straight loss and fourth in six games without the injured superstar Kevin Durant.
Steph Curry missed the potential game-winning shot
In an up and down first quarter, the Warriors continued their stretch of “not looking so great” play. Finally, with 19 seconds left, the Warriors took the lead on a Curry floater.
But two Andrew Wiggins free throws followed on the next possession gave it back to the Timberwolves. Steph Curry took the fatal shot and missed. A struggling Warriors’ team will board a plane of San Antonio set to face the Spurs’ team that is now only 1.5 games back of the top spot in the West.
'It's the right thing to do vs. the Spurs'
Instead of resting his stars in advance of a huge game in San Antonio on Saturday night, Steve Kerr decided to not only play them but chase down the victory that did not come. Curry played 36 minutes, Klay Thompson 37 and Draymond Green 38. Shortly after the game, Steve Kerr announced that he would be sitting basically the whole team versus the Spurs on Saturday night. “It’s my call,” Kerr told the reporters. “And it’s the right thing to do in terms of the way the season is playing out and the way the minutes have gone and KD’s injury. It’s the right thing to do, so we’re doing it.”
Once the Warriors return from Texas, they will play 11 of their final 16 games at Oracle Arena. Minnesota travels to Milwaukee to face the Bucks on Saturday.
