Curry scores 44 as Warriors beat Edwards-less Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves lost their first game without Anthony Edwards, falling 119-114 to the Golden State Warriors in Minneapolis on Wednesday night. The result caps a 3-0 start for Minnesota, which now drops to 3-1, while Golden State improves to 2-3.

The absence of Edwards marks the first time the team has played without him since announcing he would undergo a procedure on his right knee. He is expected to miss approximately two months. Without their leading scorer, the Timberwolves struggled to maintain momentum despite a late rally.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 44 points and eight rebounds. Yaxel Lendeborg added 26 points, and Brandon Williams contributed 11 points off the bench. Golden State built a lead of up to 24 points midway through the second half, capping a surge that included a three-point play by Curry that put the score at 78-54.

Minnesota’s offense found its footing late, outscoring the Warriors 66-55 in the second half. Jonathan Kuminga led the Timberwolves with 20 points against his former team. Jaden McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. each scored 19 points, while Ayo Dosunmu added 17. Bones Hyland made a bank shot with seconds remaining to cut the deficit to three points, but Curry converted two free throws to seal the victory.

The first quarter set the tone as Golden State closed on a 21-9 run to take a 30-23 lead. De’Anthony Melton hit two three-pointers during that sequence, and Lendeborg added a driving layup and a three-pointer. The Warriors extended their advantage to 16 points with 6:29 left in the half, scoring seven of the final nine points of the first period to go ahead 64-48 at the break.

Minnesota cut the deficit to 12 points after a 27-15 run to close the third quarter. Hyland, entering from the bench, made two three-pointers to help keep the game close. The Warriors held a 93-81 lead entering the final period before Minnesota’s late push fell short.