Something has to go right for either the Golden State Warriors or the Minnesota Timberwolves.
On Saturday, one of those teams will find a bright spot in a dreary stretch.
The Warriors will try to win their first game since losing Jimmy Butler to a torn ACL when they tip off against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Golden State managed to hold on and win the matchup Butler left on Monday against Miami, but they haven’t secured a full win without him.
Meanwhile, the Timberwolves will try to snap a four-game losing streak. They are coming off a 120-115 home loss against the Chicago Bulls on Thursday, which followed losses on the road against the Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets.
This marks the Timberwolves’ longest losing streak of the season.
“We got in this together. We have to get out of it together,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle said. “It’s going to take a lot of effort, a lot of focus, a pickup of intensity. I know typically this time of year guys are peeking at the calendar and looking for the break, but we have to find a way to finish strong and win the games we’re supposed to.”
Golden State is also conducting self-reflection after losing consecutive games against the Toronto Raptors and Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors need to find a way to compensate for the absence of Butler, who averaged 20.0 points, 5.6 rebounds and 4.9 assists over 38 games.
One option for the Warriors is to acquire one or more players before the NBA trade deadline. Another, more immediate alternative is for Stephen Curry to take on an even larger role in the offense, while others such as Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield look to contribute.
Curry, 37, is averaging 27.4 points per game on 47% shooting this season. He leads the league with 4.6 made 3-pointers per game and is shooting 39.2% from beyond the arc, earning his 11th career nod as an All-Star Game starter.
“I can’t think of anybody at that age playing better,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “I know Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) played well late in his career, obviously, LeBron (James), but I just can’t imagine anybody playing at a higher level at this age than Steph.
“He’s been amazing all year. I’m glad he’s being rewarded (as an All-Star Game starter).”
The Timberwolves’ top scorer, Anthony Edwards, did not earn a starting nod for the All-Star Game this season. He is averaging 29.6 points on 49.5% shooting, including 40.6% from beyond the arc, all career bests.
Randle ranks second on the Timberwolves with 22.6 points per game, and Jaden McDaniels rounds out the top three scorers at 15.1 points per game.
This is the first of two games in three days between the Warriors and Timberwolves. The teams will remain in Minneapolis after Saturday’s contest and reconvene for a rematch Monday night.
The Timberwolves won the only previous matchup between the teams this season, securing a 127-120 victory on Dec. 12 in San Francisco. Randle led Minnesota with 27 points.
