The Golden State Warriors’ roller-coaster start to the 2025-26 season saw them go through another low on Friday night, as the Timberwolves beat them 127-120 despite the fact that Anthony Edwards was ruled out for the game just hours before tip-off with foot soreness. 

The Timberwolves instead relied on the trio of Julius Randle, Rudy Gobert and Donte DiVincenzo, who combined for 72 of the team’s 127 points to lead them to their sixth win in seven games. The Warriors, on the other hand, have now lost three of their last five games and four of their last seven. 

Following the game, coach Steve Kerr had a blunt message for his team. He blamed the Warriors’ defensive effort for the loss, specifically in transition, as it allowed the Timberwolves to convert several open looks that ultimately changed the complexion of the game. 

“I thought our defense let us down tonight,” Kerr said. “We had several plays in transition, in both halves, where we lost sight of Naz Reid, and a couple other shooters. I just thought our transition defense was poor.”

Kerr pinpointed one specific instance early in the fourth quarter where they lost track of Reid that proved particularly costly and served as one of the turning points in a game where the first team to bend was likely going to be the one that broke.

“There was one possesion, it was 96-91, I think and (Reid) got a three. We were in position to handle that and there seemed to be some confusion. So transition defense wasn't great. Then the first part of the fourth quarter I think they were like 20 to five with their run and we just couldn't get anything going. 

“That stretch hurt us. Our guys were amazing with the comeback and gave ourselves a chance. Then again, we let Donte (DiVincenzo) get free, up three. We got to play better defense tonight.”

New Lineup?

In fairness, Friday marked Stephen Curry’s first game back in over two weeks after suffering a quad injury against the Houston Rockets on Nov. 26. While Curry was out, the Warriors saw the emergence of a potential key role player in Pat Spencer, who got the start alongside Curry on Friday. 

“I wanted to see them together, so that we could hav Steph off the ball a little bit, have Pat run pick-and-roll, see how they handled that,” Kerr said. “We wanted to make sure we gave that lineup a look, and tonight was the night to do it with Pat coming off that stretch on the road, Draymond being out, and I like those two guys together.”