Minneapolis, Minnesota — The Timberwolves fell victim to the Golden State Warriors’ explosive third-quarter offense, struggling to maintain their early momentum during a tense matchup that showcased both teams’ strengths and weaknesses.

After a slow start, Julius Randle found his rhythm, hitting his first three-pointer after beginning the game 1-for-5. This bucket helped the Timberwolves seize a 39-29 lead, prompting Warriors coach Steve Kerr to call a timeout. However, the momentum shifted rapidly as the Timberwolves’ offense stalled.

Despite a promising start, Minnesota hit a cold stretch, going scoreless for over four minutes. This drought allowed Golden State to launch a 13-1 run to end the quarter, fueled by Jimmy Butler’s offensive prowess. By halftime, the Timberwolves had accumulated ten turnovers and mustered a mere 34% shooting from the field. In a frustrating second quarter, Anthony Edwards managed just a single point.

The second half began with Butler continuing to dominate, pushing his point total to 28 and helping Golden State regain the lead. Edwards responded by attacking the rim effectively, contributing 15 points in the quarter as the game remained tightly contested, with teams exchanging leads.

As the quarter unfolded, both Rudy Gobert and Draymond Green found themselves in foul trouble, each picking up four fouls and subsequently spending time on the bench. Golden State, taking advantage of Gobert’s absence, went on a scoring spree that pushed them ahead 67-62, prompting Timberwolves coach Chris Finch to call for a timeout with just over two minutes left in the quarter.

The Warriors, having missed their mark on three-pointers in the first half, turned the shooting woes around dramatically in the third quarter, sinking six three-pointers. This shift in accuracy played a crucial role in their ability to secure a lead, making it difficult for the Timberwolves to recover as the game progressed.

As the game continued, both teams battled fiercely, with the Timberwolves hoping to regain their composure and capitalize on their early advantage. Fans were treated to a showcase of determination and skill as each possession became critical in the escalating stakes of the contest.