Shorthanded Warriors Fall to Timberwolves as Young Core Shows Grit, But Depth Can’t Match Minnesota’s Firepower
The Golden State Warriors found themselves in an unusual position Sunday night - not just because of the rescheduled tip-off against the Minnesota Timberwolves, but because they took the floor without several of their veteran stars. With the team managing minutes on the second night of an unexpected back-to-back, head coach Steve Kerr leaned heavily on his bench and two-way players.
The result? A 108-83 loss that was less about effort and more about the realities of NBA depth.
Let’s start with the bright spots - because despite the lopsided scoreline, there were a few.
Golden State’s young and lesser-used players came ready to compete. Defensively, they held Minnesota to 108 points, which is 12.5 below the Timberwolves’ January average.
That’s no small feat, especially when you consider the Warriors were missing their top-tier defenders. Will Richard was a defensive spark plug, racking up six steals and helping the team notch 14 total.
Gui Santos turned in a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards, and the team was only -5 during his 26 minutes on the floor - a solid effort in a tough matchup.
Pat Spencer also made the most of his opportunity, posting 10 points, six assists, and five rebounds. He finished just -10 in his time on the court, which, given the circumstances, speaks to his composure and ability to contribute across the board. Moses Moody and Brandin Podziemski also held their own defensively, helping to force Julius Randle into six turnovers.
But that’s where the good news ends.
Minnesota’s frontcourt duo of Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid proved too much for Golden State’s patchwork lineup. Gobert was a force on the glass, pulling down 17 rebounds and blocking two shots, including a momentum-crushing swat to close the first half.
Reid, meanwhile, stretched the floor with three triples, finishing with 15 points and seven rebounds. And Donte DiVincenzo - a familiar face to Warriors fans - made his presence felt with five made threes, eight assists, and three blocks.
It was a reminder of how valuable he can be when he’s in rhythm.
The Warriors managed to hang tough for about 18 minutes. At one point in the second quarter, Gary Payton II gave them a 34-32 lead with a driving layup.
But the wheels came off shortly after. On the next three possessions: a DiVincenzo block, an offensive foul by Payton, and then a defensive foul.
Minnesota seized control, closing the half on a 19-4 run and never looking back.
It was déjà vu from the first quarter, when Golden State managed just two points in the final four minutes. Offensively, this group struggled to create consistent looks - and that’s to be expected when the lineup includes players still finding their NBA footing. Spencer, Payton, Richard, Buddy Hield, and Trayce Jackson-Davis simply didn’t have the offensive firepower to keep pace with a Timberwolves team that, even without Anthony Edwards, is stacked with rotation-level talent.
Quinten Post was one of the few offensive bright spots, scoring eight points in the first half and finishing with a team-high 13. He knocked down two of the Warriors’ four made threes - yes, just four - and showed flashes of the stretch-big potential Golden State hopes to develop. His second-half production dipped, but the effort was there.
Malevy Leons, the 6-foot-9 forward from the Netherlands, also had a milestone night, logging his first points of the season. He finished with six points, four rebounds, an assist, and a steal - a well-rounded line that should earn him another look in future games.
As for Gary Payton II, his night was brief but eventful. He fouled out in just 12 minutes, a stat line that’s as rare as it is oddly impressive. His sixth and final foul came as he tried to battle Gobert for an offensive rebound - a battle he lost, as Gobert powered through for a dunk anyway.
The loss drops the Warriors further behind in a Western Conference race that’s only getting tighter, and while this game won’t go down as a turning point, it was a reminder of just how thin the margin is when key veterans sit. The young guys showed heart, but heart alone doesn’t beat a team like Minnesota, who can roll out seven starter-caliber players even without their All-Star guard.
Golden State wraps up its road trip Wednesday in Salt Lake City against the Utah Jazz - a team that’s been flirting with both competitiveness and lottery odds depending on the night. The Jazz are sitting Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George for their Tuesday matchup against the Clippers, which could mean they’re back in the lineup when the Warriors come to town.
Then again, January basketball has a way of throwing curveballs. Don’t be shocked if Utah’s roster decisions continue to lean toward long-term planning.
For the Warriors, the focus shifts to recovery, development, and staying afloat in a crowded Western Conference. The young core got valuable reps, and while the result wasn’t what they wanted, the experience could pay dividends down the line.