Curry Scores 39 in Return, Warriors’ Defense Falls Short
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry made a striking return to the court on Friday night after recovering from a quad injury. In just 32 minutes of play, he scored 39 points. Despite Curry’s impressive performance, the Warriors fell short, losing 127-120 to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Curry’s Stellar Return
Curry had missed the previous two weeks and five games due to injury. In his comeback game, he quickly made an impact, scoring 10 points within the first eight minutes. His 28 shot attempts showcased his determination to reintegrate into the team dynamics.
Defensive Struggles Plague Warriors
Despite Curry’s offensive fireworks, the Warriors struggled on defense, allowing 39 points in the fourth quarter. Coach Steve Kerr expressed disappointment over the team’s defensive performance. “Our defense let us down tonight,” he said.
Missing Key Players
The absence of Draymond Green and Al Horford impacted the team’s defensive capabilities. Green is currently away due to personal reasons while Horford is sidelined with sciatica. This left the Warriors vulnerable in the paint.
Timberwolves Take Advantage
Meanwhile, Minnesota’s Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle combined for an impressive 51 points and 23 rebounds, capitalizing on Golden State’s defensive lapses.
Offensive Inefficiency Stands Out
The Warriors rank 22nd in the NBA for offensive ratings. Their struggles on that end of the court complicate their efforts to bounce back this season. Curry’s return is seen as a critical boost, yet the team must address its broader issues.
Looking Ahead
Following the loss, the Warriors now find themselves with a 13-13 record, 3½ games behind the Timberwolves in the Western Conference standings. A win would have brought them closer to playoff contention. “We just didn’t figure out a way to get it done,” Curry reflected on the team’s challenging performance.
- Stephen Curry scored 39 points in his return.
- Warriors lost 127-120 to the Timberwolves.
- The team gave up 39 points in the fourth quarter.
- Warriors’ record now stands at 13-13.
- Draymond Green and Al Horford were out for the game.