Warriors And Timberwolves Battle Injuries In High-Stakes NBA Rematch

The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves squared off on January 26, 2026, at the Target Center in Minneapolis, wrapping up a back-to-back set that had fans and analysts buzzing. The previous night, Golden State had stunned Minnesota with a dominant 111-85 win, but the rematch promised a whole new set of challenges—especially with both teams dealing with significant injuries and lineup shake-ups.

Golden State entered the contest riding the high of their Sunday night rout, a game in which Stephen Curry dazzled with 26 points and 7 assists, and the Warriors defense forced a staggering 26 turnovers. That win snapped a skid for the Warriors and showcased their ability to compete with elite teams, even while missing key contributors like Jimmy Butler III (out for the season with a torn ACL), Jonathan Kuminga (left knee bone bruise), and Seth Curry (back and sciatic issues).

But the story for the Monday night rematch was all about who would actually suit up. As the day unfolded, it became clear that Golden State would be without their two cornerstones: Stephen Curry, sidelined with right knee soreness and inflammation after heavy minutes the night before, and Draymond Green, out with back soreness. Coach Steve Kerr explained, "Curry’s balky right knee was causing him enough trouble on Monday morning to rule him out." Kerr also expressed optimism about both stars returning for the next game in Utah. The Warriors’ injury list didn’t stop there: De’Anthony Melton (rest), Al Horford (toe injury), Seth Curry, Jonathan Kuminga, Jimmy Butler III, and L.J. Cryer (hamstring) were all unavailable. It was a skeleton crew for Golden State, forcing the team to get creative with their rotations and rely heavily on lesser-used players.

With Curry and Green out, the Warriors’ starting lineup looked drastically different. Brandin Podziemski, the third-best scorer on the team averaging over 12 points per game, was thrust into a leading role. Alongside him, Pat Spencer (a two-way guard who had shown flashes of brilliance in December), Will Richard, Buddy Hield, Gary Payton II, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, Malevy Leons, Quinten Post, and Trayce Jackson-Davis filled out a depth chart that was short on size and experience. Moody, more naturally a shooting guard, was pushed to play small forward, while Jackson-Davis, an undersized center, had to battle in the paint against Minnesota’s formidable frontcourt. The Warriors were forced to lean into their identity as a three-point shooting team, hoping for a barrage from Podziemski, Richard, Moody, Hield, Santos, and Post to keep them competitive.

The Timberwolves, meanwhile, were desperate to halt a five-game losing streak. Entering the night with a 27-19 record, Minnesota had been struggling offensively and needed a spark to get back on track. But fate had other plans: Anthony Edwards, the team’s dynamic star guard averaging nearly 30 points per game, was a late scratch due to right foot injury maintenance. Terrence Shannon Jr. (left foot abductor hallucis strain) was also out, and Leonard Miller was questionable with lower back spasms. Still, the core rotation of Rudy Gobert, Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, and Naz Reid remained intact, giving the Wolves hope that they could take advantage of a depleted Warriors squad.

The stakes were clear: Minnesota needed this game to break out of their slump, while Golden State, with a 26-21 record, was trying to prove that their system and depth could withstand even the most dire circumstances. The betting odds heavily favored the Timberwolves, with a spread of -8.5 and a moneyline of -325, reflecting the Warriors’ decimated roster. The Timberwolves also held statistical edges in points per game (119.2 to the Warriors’ 116.7), rebounds, and three-point percentage, while Golden State had slight advantages in field goal percentage, assists, and turnovers per game.

The key matchup was expected to be inside, where Rudy Gobert could exploit the Warriors’ lack of size. On the perimeter, Minnesota planned to focus on limiting Golden State’s three-point attempts and forcing others to create offense, a tall order given the Warriors’ league-leading volume from deep. For Golden State, winning the turnover battle and getting hot from three were non-negotiable if they hoped to stay close. As one analyst put it, "If the Warriors dominate the turnover battle, they should have a chance to steal this one."

For the Timberwolves, the pressure was on. Despite home court advantage and superior depth, recent losses to teams like the Bulls and Jazz had exposed vulnerabilities. Minnesota’s offense had sputtered, and the team’s confidence seemed to waver at the worst possible time. Rudy Gobert, Julius Randle, and Naz Reid were called upon to provide interior scoring and rebounding, while Mike Conley’s steady hand was vital in keeping the offense organized. With Edwards out, the Wolves needed a true team effort to avoid another letdown in front of their home crowd.

The Warriors, meanwhile, embraced the challenge. With so many regulars out, the game became an opportunity for young players and reserves to step up. Pat Spencer, who had averaged 15.2 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.2 rebounds during a five-game stretch in December, was given a chance to prove he belonged in the rotation. As the coaching staff emphasized, the only way to stay competitive was to push the pace, launch threes, and hope for a hot shooting night.

The game tipped off at 9:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. CT) on Peacock, with fans tuning in to see if the Warriors’ makeshift lineup could pull off another upset or if the Timberwolves would finally snap their losing streak. The atmosphere at Target Center was electric, with Minnesota fans eager for a turnaround and Golden State supporters hoping for another dose of small-ball magic.

As the action unfolded, both teams battled fatigue and adversity. The Timberwolves, with their deeper bench, tried to impose their will inside, while the Warriors let it fly from beyond the arc. The result? Still undecided as of press time, but one thing was certain: both teams left it all on the floor, turning what could have been a lopsided affair into a gritty, unpredictable NBA showdown.

With injuries shaping every possession and young players taking center stage, this matchup was a testament to the NBA’s next-man-up mentality. Whether the Timberwolves would finally break free from their slump or the Warriors could conjure another road miracle, fans witnessed a game defined by resilience, strategy, and the relentless pursuit of victory—no matter who was missing from the lineup.