Buddy Hield Struggles as Shorthanded Warriors Fall Flat Against Timberwolves
The Golden State Warriors were already walking a tightrope heading into Monday night’s rematch with the Timberwolves. With most of their core rotation sidelined - including Stephen Curry and Draymond Green - the margin for error was razor-thin.
What they needed was a spark. What they got, instead, was a cold shooting night from Buddy Hield and a reminder of just how unforgiving the NBA can be when depth is tested.
Coming off a dominant 111-85 win over Minnesota less than 24 hours earlier, Golden State opted to rest Curry and Green, adding to a growing list of absences that included Jimmy Butler, Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, and De’Anthony Melton. That left Hield and Gary Payton II as the only players over 30 in uniform - and the Warriors needing someone, anyone, to step up.
For a moment, it looked like they might find a rhythm. Golden State started the game with energy, jumping out to a 14-8 lead before ending the first quarter down by just one.
But the wheels came off in the second. The Timberwolves, also without their star in Anthony Edwards, took control with a 32-18 run in the quarter and never looked back, cruising to a 108-83 win.
All eyes were on Hield, who had a real opportunity to take command of the offense. Instead, he struggled mightily, finishing with just five points on 2-of-10 shooting (1-of-4 from three) in nearly 29 minutes off the bench. It was the kind of outing that’s hard to ignore - not just because of the missed shots, but because of the absence of rhythm and impact from a player expected to provide both.
Hield’s performance only deepens the uncertainty around his role in Golden State’s plans moving forward. The 33-year-old veteran has had bright moments - including a 25-point outburst off the bench against Toronto last week - but consistency has been elusive. As the February 5 trade deadline approaches, the Warriors may be weighing whether a more dependable piece could better stabilize their rotation.
To be fair, Hield wasn’t alone in the struggle. Golden State as a whole couldn’t find the bottom of the net, shooting just 34.7% from the field and a brutal 9-of-39 (23.1%) from three. Will Richard and Gui Santos combined to go 1-of-12 from deep, though Santos did notch the first double-double of his career with 11 points and 10 rebounds - a silver lining on an otherwise forgettable night.
Richard, meanwhile, made his presence felt on defense. The rookie guard tallied six steals in 28 minutes, part of a scrappy defensive effort that forced 22 Minnesota turnovers - this after the Warriors forced 25 the night before. But without offensive firepower to match, those extra possessions didn’t translate into points.
Payton II and Hield both finished with a game-worst -20 in the plus-minus column, a stat that underscored just how much the Warriors missed their usual leaders. The lack of cohesion and scoring punch made the second and third quarters especially tough to watch, as the Timberwolves steadily pulled away.
Now, Golden State turns the page and heads to Utah to face the Jazz on Wednesday. With three losses in their last four games and a roster that’s been stretched thin, the hope is that reinforcements can return and help reset the momentum. But Monday night served as a clear reminder: when the Warriors’ stars sit, the margin for error shrinks - and the pressure on the supporting cast only grows.