The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors delivered a nail-biting battle on December 12, 2025, at Chase Center, highlighting the fierce Western Conference rivalry. Despite key injuries on both sides, the game showcased resilience and star power, with the Warriors edging out a close victory amid high stakes.
Game Recap: Warriors Hold Off Timberwolves in Thriller
Golden State Warriors hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves in a pivotal matchup, ending with the Warriors securing a hard-fought win after a tightly contested affair. The game tipped off with intense defense, as early plays saw Quinten Post missing a three-pointer and Stephen Curry opening the scoring with a floating jumper assisted by Post. By the first quarter's end, scores hovered close, reflecting the even matchup reported live, with Warriors at 27 and Timberwolves at 28 in one update. The Warriors' home crowd roared as their team leveraged ball movement and pace, building on recent wins over Chicago and Cleveland despite absences.
Final tallies underscored the drama, with Warriors improving to 14-12 and Timberwolves slipping to 15-10. Curry's return from a quad injury fueled Golden State's momentum, while Minnesota battled valiantly without their dynamic duo. This clash renewed a playoff-like intensity from last season's semifinals, where Timberwolves previously triumphed 121-110. Fans witnessed classic NBA grit, with rebounds, assists, and clutch plays defining the night.
Star Performances: Curry Shines, Edwards Sits
Stephen Curry made a triumphant return, dropping early points and anchoring the Warriors' offense after missing time since November 26 due to a left quad contusion. His historical dominance against Minnesota—averaging 29.0 points over recent years—set expectations high, and he delivered with efficient scoring amid team challenges. Jimmy Butler III contributed with a 9-foot jumper early, showcasing his versatility for Golden State.
Anthony Edwards, Minnesota's explosive guard averaging 28.7 PPG, was ruled out with right foot soreness, a blow after his recent 40-point outings. Without Edwards and Mike Conley (Achilles tendinopathy), Timberwolves leaned on Julius Randle and Jaden McDaniels, who made key layups and rebounds. Warriors' Draymond Green missed for personal reasons, and Al Horford sat with back issues, testing bench depth like Buddy Hield and Pat Spencer. These absences amplified the human element—players stepping up under pressure, turning potential losses into heroic efforts.
Injury Report: Battle of the Banged-Up Rosters
Both teams entered shorthanded, amplifying the game's unpredictability. For Warriors, Curry's availability was a boost, but Green's personal absence and Horford's sciatica sidelined key vets. Jonathan Kuminga was questionable after recent struggles, with coach Steve Kerr emphasizing consistency. Minnesota faced steeper woes: Edwards out, Conley sidelined, forcing reliance on younger guards like Bones Hyland.
Jaylen Clark's defensive presence has been vital for Timberwolves, going 15-7 in his games, crediting mentor Conley. Such injuries highlight NBA's grind—stars pushing limits, role players rising, and teams adapting mid-season. This matchup tested rosters' depth, mirroring broader league trends where health swings standings.
Head-to-Head History: A Rivalry Reignited
This game marked the season opener between these Pacific-Northwest powers, building on last year's intensity. Timberwolves won playoff battles, including a 121-110 Game 5 victory led by Julius Randle's 29 points. Curry torched Minnesota repeatedly last season, hitting 30+ in three straight, but Wolves' revamped defense—with Clark—posed new threats.
Season series previews noted Warriors as 4.5-point favorites with a 228.5 total, aligning with their home strength (7-3). Historical stats show Curry's edge: 28.8 PPG in recent Timberwolves games. Yet Minnesota's road resilience (7-5 away) kept it close. This history adds layers—revenge motives, tactical evolutions, and star duels fans crave.
Warriors swept recent regular-season edges after Minnesota's opener win.
Playoff clashes featured high-scoring affairs, averaging over 110 per team.
Curry's 30+ games vs. Wolves: among league elites like Doncic.
Team Standings and Season Context
Warriors sit 8th in the West at 13-12 pre-game, chasing playoff positioning after a two-game win streak. Timberwolves held 6th at 15-9, rebounding from a Phoenix loss. Conference race tightens: OKC leads at 24-1, Denver at 18-6, pressuring mid-pack teams.
Golden State's ball movement improved sans Curry, signaling identity rediscovery. Minnesota's Clark-led defense boasts a 12-0 record in his extended minutes. With NBA Cup distractions fading, focus shifts to seeding—wins here propel momentum into holidays.
| Western Conference Top 10 (Pre-Game) | Record | GB |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City Thunder | 24-1 | - |
| Denver Nuggets | 18-6 | 5.5 |
| Minnesota Timberwolves | 15-9 | 8.5 |
| Phoenix Suns | 14-11 | 10.0 |
| Golden State Warriors | 13-12 | 11.0 |
Tactical Breakdown: Defense Wins Close Ones
Early action emphasized defense: DiVincenzo's pullup misses, Hyland's assists on McDaniels layups. Warriors exploited pace, Timberwolves countered with Gobert's rim protection—drawing fouls early. Curry's gravity pulled defenders, opening lanes for Post and Butler.
Without Edwards, Minnesota spaced floor via threes, but Warriors' rebounds (43.5 RPG average) dominated. Shot charts likely showed Curry's mid-range mastery, Randle's inside-out game. Kerr's rotations balanced ambition with execution, key in injury-hit lineups. This tactical chess match—defensive stops, transition buckets—defines elite NBA battles.
Season Implications: Playoff Push Accelerates
A Warriors win boosts their climb from 8th, vital with four home games through Christmas. Timberwolves' loss tests depth ahead of rematches: January 24 on ABC, more. Both vie for top-six seeds, avoiding play-in chaos.
Curry's health stabilizes rotations; Edwards' foot needs monitoring for Wolves' surge. Rivalry fuels motivation—expect fiercer defenses, hotter shooting in sequels. Wins here echo playoff prep, where execution separates contenders.
Player Spotlights: Unsung Heroes Emerge
Beyond stars, role players shone. Jaylen Clark's emergence—unbeaten in key minutes—bolsters Wolves' backcourt. Quinten Post's assists, Buddy Hield's potential despite turnovers highlight bench battles. Julius Randle's rebounding, Jaden McDaniels' drives kept Minnesota competitive.
Jimmy Butler's poise for Warriors, post-trade, adds grit. These narratives humanize the game—veterans mentoring, rookies grasping spotlight, all chasing legacy in a star-driven league.
Post: Early facilitator despite misses.
Hyland: Stepped up sans Conley/Edwards.
Fan Reactions and Highlights Buzz
Social media exploded post-game: Reddit threads debated career nights sans Edwards, Warriors fans hyped Curry's return. Live scores trended, with play-by-play gripping—McDaniels' free throws, Spencer's boards.
Highlights packages promise viral Curry floaters, Randle pullups. Chase Center's atmosphere electrified, rivalry alive for 2025-26. Fans await box scores dissecting FG%, rebounds—fueling endless analysis.
Looking Ahead: Rematch Fire Brewing
Upcoming games—Warriors at Timberwolves January 24—promise revenge. Warriors host four in six; Wolves regroup post-loss. Health recoveries (Edwards, Horford) swing arcs.
This clash embodies NBA essence: adversity breeds excellence, stars elevate, underdogs inspire. As standings shift, expect fireworks—rivalry deepening, playoffs looming. Warriors' edge keeps them hunting; Timberwolves reload for retribution.

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