Stephen Curry scores 44 as Warriors hold off Timberwolves 119-114

Stephen Curry scored 44 points and made all 16 of his free throws as the Golden State Warriors beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-114 at Target Center on Wednesday, October 28. Golden State had led by as many as 24 points before Minnesota’s late comeback made Curry’s scoring vital to the five-point win.

Curry made six three-pointers, collected eight rebounds and supplied six assists. He shot 11-for-27 from the field, according to TalkBasket, which also reported that he committed no turnovers. His 16 points at the line accounted for more than a third of his total.

How Minnesota cut into the Warriors’ lead

Golden State made 30 of 37 free throws as a team, making Curry’s perfect 16-for-16 contribution a substantial part of its scoring at the line. The Warriors also had a 53-42 rebounding advantage, although they committed 17 turnovers to Minnesota’s 15, according to TalkBasket.

Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg added 26 points and nine rebounds for Golden State. Jonathan Kuminga led Minnesota with 20 points against his former team; McDaniels and Terrence Shannon Jr. scored 19 apiece, TalkBasket reported. Minnesota was playing its first game without Anthony Edwards following arthroscopic surgery on his right knee.

Curry’s season-opening free-throw run

Curry’s 16 makes extended his season-opening run to 39 consecutive successful free throws, according to The Sporting News, citing Golden State’s game coverage. The longer streak adds context to Wednesday’s performance; both reports record his perfect night at the line.

The win improved Golden State to 2-3 after three straight losses to open the season. It was the Warriors’ second consecutive victory. Minnesota fell to 3-2 after winning its first three games, TalkBasket reported.