Warriors And Timberwolves Battle Through Injuries And Unrest In Minneapolis

It’s not often that an NBA back-to-back brings this much drama, disruption, and roster chaos, but the Golden State Warriors’ two-night stand in Minneapolis against the Minnesota Timberwolves delivered all that and more. What started as a routine road trip quickly became a test of resilience, both on and off the court, as protests, injuries, and last-minute scratches left both teams scrambling for answers and opportunity.

The saga began with tragedy and unrest. The Warriors and Timberwolves were originally scheduled to tip off on Saturday, January 24, 2026, but the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti and subsequent protests throughout Minneapolis forced the NBA to postpone the contest by a day. As the city mourned and tensions ran high, there were real questions about whether a single day’s delay would be enough for players, fans, and the broader community to process what had happened. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr captured the somber mood, telling reporters, “They were struggling with everything that’s been going on and what the city has been through. So, it was very sad. It was a sad night.”

Despite the heavy atmosphere, the league pressed on, and Sunday’s rescheduled game saw the Warriors snap a two-game losing streak in emphatic fashion. Golden State’s defense was relentless, racking up an eye-popping 20 steals—the most in any NBA game that season—and converting those takeaways into a commanding 111-85 win. “We didn’t make many mistakes. Took advantage of opportunities that were there. Lots of guys diving on the floor for loose balls,” Kerr said, praising his squad’s focus and energy.

Star point guard Steph Curry, who’d been dealing with an unusual bout of right knee soreness since a team workout Saturday, played just 28 minutes in the blowout, giving him a bit of extra rest. After the game, Curry described the injury as perplexing: “Something flared up [Saturday] when we came over to get a workout in. It was super weird. Like, I’ve had stuff going on—quads and whatnot—but it was something that I hadn’t felt before, so I definitely took advantage of the day off to get right, but hopefully that continues.” His status for Monday’s rematch was immediately in doubt, though Curry remained hopeful he could suit up.

But as Monday rolled around, the Warriors’ injury woes only deepened. By morning, Kerr had ruled both Curry and Draymond Green out for the second leg of the back-to-back. Curry’s right patellofemoral inflammation simply hadn’t improved enough overnight, while Green was sidelined with left lower back soreness. “Curry’s balky right knee was causing him enough trouble on Monday morning to rule him out,” reported the Associated Press, with Kerr expressing hope that both stars would return for Wednesday’s game at Utah.

The Warriors’ depleted roster didn’t stop there. Already missing forward Jimmy Butler III for the season due to a torn ACL, Golden State also had to do without Jonathan Kuminga (bone bruise and hyperextended left knee), Seth Curry (sciatica), De’Anthony Melton (injury management), and Al Horford (injury management). That’s a laundry list of absences even for a league known for its grueling schedule and unpredictable injuries.

On the other side, the Timberwolves faced their own late-breaking setback. Anthony Edwards, who had torched Golden State for 32 points the night before and looked poised to lead Minnesota’s charge, was scratched just before tipoff due to a foot injury. Suddenly, both teams were missing their primary stars, and the contest’s complexion changed dramatically.

With so many regulars sidelined, the projected starters for the Warriors were a patchwork: Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Gui Santos, and a few others who rarely see major minutes, thrust into the spotlight at Target Center. The Timberwolves countered with Donte DiVincenzo, Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, and Rudy Gobert, all needing to step up in Edwards’s absence.

The result? A lopsided, scrappy affair that saw the Timberwolves take full advantage of Golden State’s lack of firepower. Minnesota rolled to a 108-83 victory, holding the Warriors to just 83 points—a far cry from the offensive fireworks of the night before. While the Timberwolves missed Edwards’s scoring punch, Donte DiVincenzo filled the void with 22 points, including six three-pointers, and Rudy Gobert anchored the defense to stifle the Warriors’ makeshift lineup.

For Golden State, the defeat was a harsh reminder of how thin the margin is in the NBA, especially when injuries pile up. The Warriors entered the night with a 26-21 record, hoping to gain ground in the Western Conference playoff chase. Instead, they left Minneapolis battered and searching for healthy bodies. Kerr, ever the optimist, was quick to credit his team’s effort despite the adversity. “It’s tough when you’re missing your leaders, but we’ve got guys who are hungry for minutes and experience. We’ll regroup and get ready for Utah.”

Meanwhile, the Timberwolves improved to 28-19, showing the kind of resilience that has defined their season. After the emotional and physical toll of the weekend’s events, Minnesota’s ability to refocus and deliver a strong performance—even without their star—spoke volumes about the team’s depth and determination.

The two-game series in Minneapolis will be remembered for much more than the wins and losses. It was a window into the unpredictable, often turbulent world of professional sports, where off-court events can overshadow the game itself, and where rosters can be upended in an instant. For the Warriors, the hope is that Curry and Green’s absences will be short-lived and the team can get back to full strength in time for a crucial stretch run. For the Timberwolves, the victory is a testament to the next-man-up mentality that every contender needs.

As the NBA season grinds on, both teams will look to put this wild Minneapolis back-to-back behind them—but not before taking a moment to recognize just how much they endured, together and apart, on and off the court.