At 38 years old, Stephen Curry continues to defy expectations, combining with Yaxel Lendeborg for 68 points as Golden State survives a late Minnesota rally.
Stephen Curry is 38 years old, in his 18th NBA season, and still capable of taking over a basketball game.
The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 119–114 on Wednesday night, with Curry delivering an outstanding 42-point performance alongside eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Yaxel Lendeborg was equally important to Golden State’s success, contributing 26 points and eight rebounds.
Together, the pair scored 68 of Golden State’s 119 points.
But what looked like a comfortable Warriors victory nearly turned into another painful collapse.
Golden State built a lead as large as 24 points before Minnesota fought back, outscoring the Warriors in both the third and fourth quarters.
Ultimately, Curry’s individual brilliance and a few timely defensive plays were enough to secure Golden State’s second victory of the season.
First Quarter: Curry and Lendeborg Establish the Offense
End of Q1: Warriors 30, Timberwolves 23
Minnesota opened the game with energy, getting early contributions from Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu.
Golden State initially struggled to establish itself offensively, but Lendeborg helped settle things down.
The young forward attacked the basket, converted a turnaround jumper and later knocked down a three-pointer as the Warriors began finding their rhythm.
Minnesota continued answering through its perimeter players, but Golden State gradually took control.
Curry began asserting himself as the quarter progressed, creating scoring opportunities and forcing Minnesota to account for his movement.
The Warriors finished the opening period ahead 30–23.
It was a solid start for a Golden State team that entered the contest looking to build momentum after a difficult opening stretch of the season.
Second Quarter: Curry’s Shooting Helps Golden State Pull Away
Halftime: Warriors 64, Timberwolves 48
The second quarter belonged to Golden State.
Curry began finding his range from beyond the arc, hitting a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 41–34 advantage.
He continued attacking Minnesota’s defense, knocking down another three to extend the lead to 46–38.
Golden State’s defense also contributed to its offensive success.
Al Horford came up with a steal, and Gary Payton II found Lendeborg for a transition layup that made it 48–38.
Curry then connected from deep again, pushing the lead to 51–38.
The Warriors were beginning to create separation, and Minnesota struggled to contain Curry while also accounting for Lendeborg.
Late in the half, Curry found Lendeborg for another three-pointer, extending Golden State’s advantage to 60–46.
The Warriors entered halftime leading 64–48 after winning the second quarter 34–25.
Curry was controlling the offense, while Lendeborg gave Golden State another dependable scoring option.
With a 16-point halftime advantage, the Warriors appeared firmly in control.
Third Quarter: Minnesota’s Bench Sparks a Comeback
End of Q3: Warriors 93, Timberwolves 81
Golden State entered the second half with a 16-point advantage and initially looked ready to put the game away.
The Warriors continued attacking the basket, with Will Richard finishing a reverse layup off a Draymond Green assist to make it 75–53.
Curry followed with another impressive offensive sequence, driving into the paint and converting a floating bank shot while drawing a foul from Jaden McDaniels. He completed the three-point play to extend Golden State’s lead to 78–54 with 6:18 remaining.
At that point, the Warriors held their largest lead of the night at 24 points.
Minnesota needed a response, and Terrence Shannon Jr. began providing one.
Shannon attacked the basket, drew fouls and converted a floating jumper as the Timberwolves worked to reduce the deficit.
Golden State continued finding opportunities inside. Curry connected with Green for a cutting layup, while Lendeborg added a driving floater to make it 82–61.
However, Minnesota’s bench began changing the momentum.
Trey Lyles knocked down a three-pointer, and Joan Beringer provided energy around the basket with offensive rebounds and second-chance finishes.
The Timberwolves gradually reduced Golden State’s advantage, but the most significant push came during the final two minutes.
Bones Hyland connected on a transition three-pointer to make it 87–73. Brandon Williams answered with a layup, but Jaylen Clark responded with another three.
Williams scored again to give Golden State a 91–76 advantage with 1:11 remaining.
Minnesota wasn’t finished.
Hyland knocked down another three-pointer, then converted two free throws to bring the Timberwolves within 10 points at 91–81.
Curry answered with two free throws of his own in the final 19 seconds, allowing Golden State to enter the fourth quarter ahead 93–81.
Minnesota won the third quarter 33–29, with Hyland’s outside shooting and the Timberwolves’ bench production providing the spark.
Golden State still held a double-digit lead, but the comfortable advantage it had established earlier was beginning to disappear.
The Warriors had gone from leading by 24 to entering the final quarter ahead by just 12.
Minnesota had given itself a chance.
Fourth Quarter: Curry Delivers, but Golden State Nearly Collapses
Final: Warriors 119, Timberwolves 114
Golden State opened the fourth quarter with one of the most entertaining sequences of the game.
Georges Niang intercepted a Minnesota pass, allowing the Warriors to attack in transition.
Curry received the ball and delivered a beautiful behind-the-back pass to Gary Payton II, who finished with a reverse dunk.
The play extended Golden State’s lead to 95–81.
It was a reminder that Curry’s influence extends far beyond his scoring.
Minnesota responded with outside shooting.
McDaniels knocked down a three-pointer, and LaMelo Ball followed with another to reduce the deficit to 97–87.
Curry then drew a foul on a three-point attempt and calmly converted all three free throws, reaching 40 points for the night.
Brandon Williams provided another important contribution, attacking the basket for an and-one that pushed Golden State ahead 103–87.
The Warriors looked positioned to close out the game comfortably.
Instead, Minnesota began another comeback.
A three-pointer followed by a steal and transition layup gave the Timberwolves five quick points, reducing Golden State’s lead to 107–96.
Dosunmu then connected from beyond the arc to make it 109–99 with 3:40 remaining.
McDaniels followed with a jumper over Curry, bringing Minnesota within eight at 109–101.
Golden State’s familiar difficulty closing out games was becoming a serious concern.
The Warriors had controlled most of the night, yet Minnesota was suddenly within striking distance.
Once again, Curry provided the response.
He attacked the basket for a layup, then came up with a steal and found Lendeborg in transition.
Lendeborg finished the possession with a powerful dunk, helping Golden State establish a 115–104 lead with 2:15 remaining.
It was one of the game’s defining sequences.
Curry wasn’t simply scoring. He was making defensive plays, creating opportunities for teammates and refusing to let Minnesota complete its comeback.
Draymond Green was also navigating the closing minutes with five personal fouls, forcing him to remain disciplined defensively.
Still, Minnesota refused to go away.
The Timberwolves continued attacking and reduced the deficit to just three points in the closing moments.
Golden State ultimately escaped with a 119–114 victory.
Minnesota won the fourth quarter 33–26, but Curry and Lendeborg had done just enough to secure the result.
Key Performers
Golden State Warriors
- Stephen Curry: 42 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals, 6 three-pointers and 14-for-14 free-throw shooting.
- Yaxel Lendeborg: 26 points, 8 rebounds, shooting 11-for-20 from the field.
- Brandon Williams: 11 points and 4 rebounds.
- Draymond Green: 3 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
- De’Anthony Melton: 8 points and 6 rebounds.
Minnesota Timberwolves
- Jonathan Kuminga: 20 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
- Jaden McDaniels: 19 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.
- Terrence Shannon Jr.: 19 points and 6 rebounds.
- Ayo Dosunmu: 17 points, 5 assists and 4 steals.
- Bones Hyland: 13 points off the bench.
Final Takeaways
The biggest story was Stephen Curry.
At 38 years old, Curry remains one of basketball’s most dangerous offensive players.
His 42 points were impressive enough, but the manner in which he produced them made the performance even more remarkable.
Curry connected on six three-pointers, made all 14 of his free throws and contributed eight rebounds, six assists and two steals.
His perfect night at the free-throw line was particularly impressive given his outstanding shooting efficiency to begin the season.
The veteran continues to demonstrate that age has not prevented him from being an elite offensive weapon.
Lendeborg deserves significant credit as well.
His 26 points on 11-for-20 shooting provided Golden State with another reliable scorer, and his chemistry with Curry was evident throughout the night.
Their 68 combined points accounted for more than half of Golden State’s offense.
However, the Warriors cannot ignore how close they came to losing.
Golden State held a 24-point lead at one stage but allowed Minnesota to work its way back into contention.
The Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 66–55 in the second half and nearly completed the comeback.
Minnesota also finished with more assists and fast-break points, while Golden State dominated the rebounding battle 64–51.
Golden State’s biggest advantage came at the free-throw line, where the Warriors converted 28 of 35 attempts compared with Minnesota’s 19 of 27.
Those nine additional points proved extremely important in a five-point victory.
For Minnesota, the loss was disappointing, but the second-half response deserves recognition.
The Timberwolves were missing Anthony Edwards yet still found enough offensive production to threaten a team that had controlled the first half.
Kuminga, McDaniels, Shannon and Dosunmu all contributed, while Minnesota demonstrated that it could compete without its leading scorer.
The problem was the hole it created in the opening half.
For Golden State, the victory improves its record to 2–3, while Minnesota falls to 3–2.
The Warriors will be pleased to secure consecutive victories after opening the season with three straight defeats.
But they must improve their ability to protect leads.
As for Curry, nights like this are another reminder that the greatest shooter in NBA history is still performing at an extraordinary level.
Forty-two points at 38 years old.
And another Warriors victory.
No bias, just sports.
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