Takeaways: Timberwolves’ losing streak ends with 108-83 victory over shorthanded Warriors

The Golden State Warriors did the Timberwolves a favor prior to their second matchup in as many nights at Target Center. The Warriors sat several key players, with Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Al Horford and De’Anthony Melton joining the previously injured Jonathan Kuminga and Jimmy Butler as out.

They handed the Wolves a chance to end their five-game losing streak, which the home team did in a 108-83 victory on Monday, Jan. 27.

While the Wolves won, they won’t be sending the game film from this one to the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.

The Wolves committed 23 turnovers but had six players in double figures, and their defense shut down a Warriors team short on firepower.

“I think hopefully we realize that this is what we need to hang our hat on,” center Rudy Gobert said of the defense.

Julius Randle had 18 points to lead the balanced scoring attack for the Wolves, though he accounted for six turnovers. Gobert had 15 points and 17 rebounds while Bones Hyland added a needed scoring punch in the first half with 17 points.

Anthony Edwards sat out for the Wolves because of right foot injury maintenance on the second night of a back-to-back, his 10th missed game of the season.

They have another back-to-back coming up this week, this time with travel as they go to Dallas on Jan. 28 then back home for a game against Oklahoma City the next day.

“It’s a long season. We have ups and downs, we haven’t had a moment where we lost four or five in a row in a long time,” said Naz Reid, who had 15 points. “But we’re not perfect and it’s how you respond. We responded the right way, and now we’ve got to carry over the same energy

The Wolves fell behind with an 11-0 run in the first quarter that they ended with them up 21-20. Randle was off to a 1-for-6 start. But Hyland’s bench scoring injected some needed life while Reid added 10 points.

The Wolves defense kept the shorthanded Warriors from getting any rhythm going offensively in holding them to 18 points in the second quarter.

The only question was if the Wolves were going to turn it up offensively at any point. They finally did in the second quarter with a 21-8 spurt. The game was never close after that.

BOXSCORE: Wolves 108, Golden State 83

NBA standings

Hyland had his best game of the season (23 points against Milwaukee on Jan. 13) when Edwards was out. Perhaps it was no coincidence that Hyland had another strong game with Edwards sitting. It seems to clarify his role as a scorer as opposed to a point guard looking to straddle the line between setting up the offense and searching for his own scoring.

Coach Chris Finch joked he told Hyland he’s allowed to play well when Edwards is back in the lineup.

“No rule that says he can’t,” Finch said. “And I think some of the problem is that he spends a lot of time deferring with certain lineups out there, and he’s an aggressive player by nature, and I think that it helps him.”

“They know what type of player you are, so each game, just try to go out there and be the best version of myself,” Hyland said. “Play for my teammates, play for my family and play for the coaches, as well and the fans, too. Just try to put that all in one and go out there and be myself.”

Edwards sat out because of right foot injury maintenance. Edwards went through his usual pregame warmup and looked fine but was a late downgrade to questionable about 90 minutes prior to the game. Shortly after that the team announced he was out.

Edwards sitting out was also a surprise to Finch, who didn’t find out until late that he wasn’t going to have his All-Star in his lineup.

“It was news to me, honestly,” Finch said. “He had pain from the foot that’s been troubling him.”

When asked if the Wolves might sit Edwards again for one of the upcoming back-to-back games, Finch said he wasn’t sure.