Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors wanted to get off to a good start at Oracle Arena Thursday night as they played the young and talented Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves lost to Portland 123-114 Wednesday, and the Northwest division leaders wanted to get back in the win column against the Warriors. That did not happen as the Warriors led wire-to-wire as they beat Minnesota 126-113. The Warriors improved to 39-10 while the Timberwolves drop to 31-20.

The Warriors got off to a good start as they outscored Minnesota 38-29 in the first quarter. The Warriors’ Andre Iguodala scored 10 points in the period to set the tone for the game. The Warriors kept the pressure on as they finished the first half with a 12-point lead (74-62).

The Warriors’ big three of Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, and Kevin Durant tallied 17,10, and 15 respectively. The Timberwolves’ Karl-Anthony Towns scored 16, Jeff Teague had 15, Jamal Crawford with eight, and Andrew Wiggins with eight.

The Warriors, who usually own the third quarter, did not run away from Minnesota Thursday evening. The Warriors outscored them 32-31, and if Minnesota was able to mount a charge in the fourth quarter, they had a chance to win the game.

In the fourth quarter, the Warriors went cold. Curry and Durant were on the bench and the second unit could not do anything. Minnesota closed the gap, and coach Steve Kerr had to put Curry and Durant back into the game with 7:13 left in the game.

Nick Young hit a big three-pointer that gave the Dubs a spark. Durant took a rebound and raced down the court to make a big bucket to give the Warriors the lead 117-104. Minnesota then went on a 7-0 run, and the fans were starting to squirm. However, the Thompson and SCurry made back-to-back three-pointers to ensure the win as the Warriors led 124-111 with just 1:36 left in the game.

The Warriors scored another basket, and they finished the night with a 126-113 win.

Game Notes and Stats: Kevin Durant finished the night with a triple-double. Durant scored 28 points, had 11 assists and 10 rebounds. He also blocked three shots.

It was the first time in Durant’s career that had double-digit assists in two consecutive games. Durant recorded 14 in the game against the Knicks and 11 Thursday night in Oakland.

Curry and Thompson finished with 25. Green and Zaza Pachulia each recorded nine points in the game. David West, Shaun Livingston, and Nick Young each had six.

After the game, coach Kerr was pleased that the team won, but he thought they could improve on defense as the Timberwolves attempted 101 shots. They made 46.

The Warriors, on the other hand, knocked 48 in just 89 attempts. They shot 53.9% for the game, but they made 21 three-pointers in 37 attempts good for 56.8%.

Minnesota attempted 20 threes, but knocked just six.

The Warriors outrebounded the Wolves 47-43, and the Warriors recorded 37 assists.

Steve Kerr said this about his team: “Do what you have to do to win the game.”

Kerr also remarked that if playing Durant and Curry 36 or 37 minutes was going to have an adverse effect on the players. He usually plays them about 30 minutes a game but he thought the game was too close to have them sitting on the bench.

Up Next: The Warriors play the Boston Celtics Saturday night at Oracle Arena. Golden State lost a very close game to the Celtics early in the season in Boston so they will try to avenge that defeat.

The Celtics are led by former Cavalier Kyrie Irving and Jayson Tatum.

Game time is at 5:30 pm PT at Oracle arena.