Game Preview #27 – Timberwolves vs. Warriors

After a dreadful performance against Karl-Anthony Towns and the Knicks, the Wolves look to bounce back against the Golden State Warriors. Can the Wolves keep their positive December momentum and notch a win in this critical Western Conference matchup?

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Golden State Warriors
Date: December 21st, 2024
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Location: Target Center
Television Coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North/KARE 11
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

Sometimes, your team lays such a massive turd on the court that there’s no sense in analyzing it too deeply. You just have to flush it and move on. That’s exactly where we are after the Minnesota Timberwolves’ unsightly meltdown against the New York Knicks on Thursday night.

What was hyped as an emotional reunion for Karl-Anthony Towns and a battle between two ascending teams turned into an absolute disaster for the Timberwolves. KAT strutted back into Target Center with his new Knicks teammates and promptly reminded the Wolves of what they were missing.

This wasn’t just a loss; this was a statement loss. As in, “We’re not ready to compete at this level.” It was ugly. It was embarrassing. And with only 11 days left in 2024, it might take the crown for the year’s ugliest game.

Time to Turn the Page: Golden State Awaits

The good news? The NBA schedule doesn’t give you much time to sulk. The Wolves now have a chance to rebound Saturday night against the Golden State Warriors—a team that’s been anything but golden lately.

After a scorching start that briefly put them atop the Western Conference, the Warriors have plummeted back to earth like a malfunctioning SpaceX rocket. They’ve lost nine of their last 11 games. Unfortunately for Minnesota, one of those two wins during their recent skid came at the Wolves’ expense.

With the Western Conference standings tighter than a pair of skinny jeans on Charles Barkley, this game is critical. A win moves the Wolves closer to the middle of the Western pack with momentum to chase the Hawks and Mavericks next week. A loss? They could find themselves back on the play-in bubble, fighting to keep their heads above water.

Keys to the Game: Defense, Ball Movement, and Finch’s Adjustments

Let’s not sugarcoat it: Thursday’s game against the Knicks was bad from the jump. Sure, the Wolves led after the first quarter, but even then, something felt off.

1. Defense is Non-Negotiable

Minnesota’s recent success has been built on defense. Swarming, suffocating, “can’t-breathe-without-a-hand-in-your-face” defense. That didn’t show up against the Knicks. The Wolves allowed a ridiculous 32 points in the first quarter alone—a complete departure from the pace required to limit scoring to the 80s and 90s that they had been holding opponents to during their hot streak.

Against Golden State, the focus has to be on locking down Stephen Curry. The guy doesn’t need much space to destroy you, and he’ll absolutely make you pay if you let up for even a second. The Wolves need Rudy Gobert to dominate the paint, and their wings—Jaden McDaniels, Anthony Edwards, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker—must stay glued to Curry on the perimeter.

2. Avoid Hero Ball

When things started unraveling against New York, the Wolves defaulted to their worst habit: hero ball. Julius Randle and Anthony Edwards took turns isolating and launching ill-advised shots outside the normal flow of the offense. It was brutal to watch.

Against the Warriors, the ball has to move. Make the extra pass, find the open man, and take advantage of Golden State’s shaky defense. When this team shares the ball, they’re lethal. When they don’t? You get Thursday night.

3. Finch Needs to Step Up

I hate to pile on Chris Finch, but Thursday’s loss was as much about coaching as anything else. That disastrous early-second-quarter lineup—no Randle, no Edwards—let the game spiral out of control. By the time Finch reacted, the Knicks were up by 20, and the Wolves were effectively cooked.

Golden State can go on runs faster than you can say “Dubs.” Finch needs to be proactive with his rotations, and if things start to slide, he has to call timeouts and make adjustments. No more standing there with his arms crossed as the game slips away.

4. Win the Hustle Game

The Wolves have a size and talent advantage over the Warriors, especially with Golden State’s smaller lineup. They need to dominate the boards, grab those offensive rebounds, and limit turnovers. The Warriors thrive on fast-break points, and the Wolves can’t afford to hand them freebies.

Shake It Off and Focus

Let’s be honest: Thursday’s game felt like a gut punch. The Wolves had been rolling, winning six of seven games and looking like a team finally figuring it out. Then the Knicks came in and reminded us all how fragile success can be.

But here’s the thing: it’s just one game. Bad nights happen. What matters is how you respond.

The Wolves are a better team than Golden State right now. They have more depth, more size, and arguably more overall talent. If they play to their strengths—defense, ball movement, and disciplined basketball—they should win this game.

Final Thoughts: Vengeance and Momentum

This isn’t just about beating the Warriors. This is about getting back on track, erasing the stink of Thursday night, and setting up for a pivotal stretch of games.

After Golden State, the Wolves face the surging Hawks and then their old nemesis, Luka Doncic, and the Mavericks on Christmas Day. These are the games that define seasons. These are the games that separate playoff teams from play-in teams.

So let’s flush Thursday’s loss. Let’s forget about Karl-Anthony Towns dropping buckets and strutting around Target Center like he owns the place. Let’s focus on what’s ahead: a chance to bounce back, beat the Warriors, and keep climbing in the standings.

It’s time for the Wolves to show us what they’re made of. Let’s go.