The Minnesota Timberwolves return home to Target Center to face the Golden State Warriors in a midweek matchup, with tip scheduled for Wednesday evening at 7 00 PM CT. Minnesota enters the game 3-1 after dropping its first loss of the season to the Cleveland Cavaliers, while Golden State is 1-3 and trying to regroup.
The Timberwolves arrive with a few clear issues to address, as noted in the pregame preview. They have shot under 70 percent from the free throw line and combined for 42 turnovers during a recent back-to-back stretch. The team also needs to refine how guards feed Rudy Gobert in the post, since he struggles to catch the ball cleanly in traffic. On the positive side, TJ Shannon Jr. has opened the season hot from distance, and Jonathan Kuminga has shown early promise in Minnesota’s lineup.
Golden State presents a smaller frontcourt matchup. Draymond Green has played center in small lineups and remains a disruptive defender. Al Horford and reserve Malevy Leons provide some size depth, while Kristaps Porziņģis is out indefinitely with a chronic illness. Stephen Curry still offers perimeter scoring and the Warriors have integrated rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who has shown flashes and can draw assignments on top perimeter scorers.
Late Injury Forces Warriors To Shift Rotation
A late update before tip changed Golden State’s plans, with Gui Santos ruled out due to left knee tendinitis and Yaxel Lendeborg cleared to play despite earlier foot soreness. The reported starting lineups list Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Georges Niang, Lendeborg and Draymond Green for Golden State. Minnesota is projected to counter with LaMelo Ball, Ayo Dosunmu, Jaden McDaniels, Jonathan Kuminga and Rudy Gobert.
The absence of Santos forces coach Steve Kerr to adjust minutes and personnel, according to the update. Draymond Green will spend time at forward and center, meaning the Warriors will sometimes pair him with Al Horford, Graham Ike or Charles Bassey. Those combinations trade size for spacing or interior scoring at different times. Georgia Niang’s insertion into the starting five suggests he may see a higher minutes load, and Golden State will likely use more three-guard lineups that Minnesota could exploit with its size and rim-oriented attack.
