Warriors vs Timberwolves: Kristaps Porziņģis Scores 20 in Warriors’ Loss
Kristaps Porziņģis delivered a solid performance, but the Golden State Warriors still fell short against the Minnesota Timberwolves on March 14, 2026. Minnesota secured a 127-117 win at Chase Center in San Francisco. The game drew a sellout crowd of 18,064 fans on Friday night. Golden State now holds a 32-34 record, dropping two games under .500 for the first time since December 18.
Minnesota seized control early and never fully surrendered momentum. A dominant second quarter created separation that the Warriors struggled to erase. Despite a late push, Golden State could not complete the comeback. Kristaps Porziņģis, making his first start as a Warrior, contributed 20 points in 20 minutes and finished with a +6 plus/minus rating.
Warriors vs Timberwolves Game Breakdown
Minnesota’s Second Quarter Surge Changed the Game
Minnesota created a decisive gap in the second quarter, outscoring Golden State 38-20. The Timberwolves’ offensive efficiency overwhelmed the Warriors’ defense. Minnesota shot 68.2% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range during that stretch. Golden State managed only 33.3% shooting and 16.7% from beyond the arc.
That scoring run produced a 69-48 halftime lead for Minnesota. The Warriors never fully recovered from that deficit. Early in the third quarter, the Timberwolves pushed the margin to 73-48, the largest lead of the night. Golden State’s defensive rotations struggled without several starters.
Warriors Rally but Fall Short Late
Golden State showed resilience in the second half. The Warriors outscored Minnesota 69-58 after halftime. Energy fueled the comeback effort. A steal and dunk by Malevy Leons cut the deficit to 109-102 in the fourth quarter.
Kristaps Porziņģis Impresses in First Warriors Start
Porziņģis Delivers Efficient Scoring
Kristaps Porziņģis produced one of the Warriors’ most efficient performances of the night. The 7-foot-3 forward scored 20 points on 7-of-16 shooting from the field. He also connected on 2-of-5 three-point attempts, showing his perimeter value.
Beyond scoring, Porziņģis contributed across the stat sheet:
- 4 rebounds
- 2 assists
- 2 steals
- 1 block
- +6 plus/minus in 20 minutes
The performance marked his first start with Golden State. His ability to stretch the floor and protect the rim added a different dimension to the lineup.
Conditioning Still a Work in Progress
After the game, Kristaps Porziņģis acknowledged he still needs time to reach full conditioning. He recently said he likely requires four or five games to regain rhythm and leg strength. The Warriors limited his minutes to 20 as part of that adjustment.
Key Player Statistics From the Game
| Player | Team | Points | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Edwards | Timberwolves | 42 | Game-high scoring performance |
| Brandin Podziemski | Warriors | 25 | Led Golden State scoring |
| Kristaps Porziņģis | Warriors | 20 | First start with Warriors |
| Gui Santos | Warriors | 17 | Strong bench contribution |
| De’Anthony Melton | Warriors | 12 | Efficient guard play |
| Pat Spencer | Warriors | 12 | Provided secondary scoring |
Minnesota star Anthony Edwards dominated the matchup. He scored 42 points, including an 11-point burst in seven minutes during the second quarter.
Warriors Injury Report and Roster Challenges
Missing Stars Impact Golden State
Golden State entered the game severely shorthanded. The Warriors were already without several core players:
- Stephen Curry
- Jimmy Butler III
- Moses Moody
- Draymond Green (late scratch due to lower-back soreness)
These absences forced significant lineup adjustments. Bench players carried larger roles throughout the night.
Three More Players Exit During the Game
Golden State’s injury issues worsened during the matchup. Three players left the game with injuries:
- Seth Curry — left adductor injury
- Quinten Post — left ankle injury
- Al Horford — right calf tightness
What This Loss Means for Golden State
The Warriors’ 127-117 loss pushes the team to 32-34. It also marks their fourth consecutive defeat. Golden State now faces a demanding stretch of road games. The upcoming six-game trip across 10 days could define the team’s playoff hopes.
