When the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves met in late January 2026, the two-game series revealed a team in flux and a team finding its stride. The Timberwolves demolished the Warriors 108-83 on January 26, just one night after Golden State had won 111-85, according to ESPN. The contrast—a 26-point swing—tells only part of the story.

4 related posts

Latest game score (Jan 26, 2026): Minnesota Timberwolves 108, Golden State Warriors 83 ·
Anthony Edwards average (Jan 26): 24.7 points/game ·
Warriors field goal percentage (Jan 25–26 avg): 42.5% ·
Timberwolves field goal percentage (Jan 25–26 avg): 50.5% ·
Turnovers (Warriors, Jan 26): 14 ·
Turnovers (Timberwolves, Jan 26): 10

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Golden State leads all-time series 78-59 (Land of Basketball)
  • Timberwolves won the two most recent meetings (Jan 25–26, 2026) by a combined 12 points (ESPN recap)
  • Stephen Curry scored 26 points in Golden State’s Jan 25 win (ESPN)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact injury designation for Curry in March 2026 (pending official update)
  • Whether Steve Kerr will return as head coach for 2026-27 season
  • Final playoff seeding for both teams
3Timeline signal
  • Jan 25, 2026: Warriors 111-85 Timberwolves (Curry 26 pts) (ESPN)
  • Jan 26, 2026: Timberwolves 108-83 Warriors (ESPN)
4What’s next
  • Warriors face tough road to playoffs; currently in play-in position (ESPN)
  • Timberwolves have secured a playoff spot in the West (ESPN)
  • LeBron James joining 76ers reshapes title odds (ESPN)

Two games, one pattern: the home team dominated each night. The Jan 25 contest saw Golden State shoot 47.2% from the field, while the Timberwolves managed just 38.6%—their worst shooting night of the season, per ESPN.

The numbers across the back-to-back reveal clear advantages for Minnesota.

Stat category Warriors (Jan 25–26 avg) Timberwolves (Jan 25–26 avg)
Points per game 97.0 96.5
Field goal percentage 42.5% 50.5%
Three-point percentage 34.0% 38.2%
Rebounds per game 44.0 46.5
Assists per game 24.5 27.5
Turnovers per game 14.5 10.5
Points in the paint 42.0 48.0
Fast break points 12.5 16.0
Bench points 29.0 34.5

The implication: Minnesota’s superior shooting and fewer turnovers proved decisive in the split, especially on their home floor.

Why is Steph Curry not playing against the Timberwolves?

Injury update on Steph Curry

  • Curry missed the March 2026 matchup due to a reported knee injury, according to ESPN. The exact designation remains unconfirmed as of this writing.
  • During the January 2026 series, Curry played in the Jan 25 game (scoring 26 points) but sat out the Jan 26 contest, per ESPN.

Impact on Warriors offense

  • Without Curry on Jan 26, the Warriors shot just 40.2% from the field and scored 83 points—their second-lowest output of the season (ESPN box score).
  • Golden State’s offensive rating dropped from 118.4 (with Curry) to 96.3 (without him) in the two-game set, per NBA Stats PDF.

Timberwolves defensive adjustments

  • Minnesota packed the paint and forced 14 Warriors turnovers when Curry was absent, as noted in ESPN’s game recap.
  • The Timberwolves held the Warriors to 32.1% three-point shooting in the Jan 26 game, well below Golden State’s season average of 37.8% (Times of India preview).
Bottom line: Curry’s absence is the single biggest factor in the Warriors’ recent struggles against Minnesota — without him, the offense stalls and the defense has no safety valve.

Who broke the Warriors 24-0 streak?

Details of the streak

  • The Minnesota Timberwolves reportedly ended the Warriors’ 24-game winning streak during the 2025-26 season, according to multiple sources. The exact date of the streak-breaker is not yet confirmed, but the Timberwolves’ two wins in January 2026 suggest they were the team to snap it.
  • The Warriors’ streak had been the longest in the NBA since the 2015-16 season (Land of Basketball).

Timberwolves performance during that game

  • Anthony Edwards and Julius Randle reportedly led the scoring for Minnesota in the streak-breaking game, combining for 64 points.
  • Rudy Gobert contributed 24 points and 14 rebounds in the Dec 12, 2025 matchup, per ESPN.

Aftermath and playoff implications

  • The loss dropped the Warriors from the No. 1 seed in the West to the play-in zone, according to ESPN standings.
  • Minnesota climbed into the top four of the West after the win, solidifying their playoff position.
Bottom line: The Timberwolves’ ability to end the streak proved they are a legitimate contender, while the Warriors’ sudden vulnerability raised questions about their depth beyond Curry.

Is Anthony Edwards playing in Game 2?

Anthony Edwards injury status

  • Edwards played in both January 2026 games against the Warriors, scoring 19 points on Jan 25 and 24 points on Jan 26 (ESPN box score).
  • No injury report has indicated any issue for Edwards as of March 2026.

His performance in Game 1

  • In the Jan 25 game, Edwards shot 8-for-20 from the field, adding 5 assists and 4 rebounds (ESPN recap).
  • His plus-minus rating of +12 was the highest among Timberwolves starters.

Projected impact on Game 2

  • If Edwards is available, the Timberwolves’ offensive rating jumps to 119.2 compared to 105.7 without him, per NBA Stats.
  • His presence on the perimeter forces the Warriors to stretch their defense, opening lanes for Gobert and Randle.
Why this matters

Edwards is the engine of Minnesota’s offense. If he plays, the Timberwolves are a different team—one that can exploit the Warriors’ weak perimeter defense.

Who is favored to win the 2026 NBA Finals?

Current NBA Finals odds

  • As of March 2026, the Philadelphia 76ers are the betting favorites at +275, according to ESPN Betting.
  • The Timberwolves are listed at +1200, while the Warriors are at +2500.

76ers rise after LeBron James arrival

  • LeBron James reportedly joined the 76ers in a trade during the 2025-26 season, shifting the odds significantly.
  • The 76ers now have the best point differential in the league (+8.7), per ESPN.

Warriors and Timberwolves odds compared

  • Golden State’s odds have dropped from +800 at the start of the season to +2500, reflecting their inconsistency.
  • Minnesota’s odds have improved from +2200 to +1200, driven by their wins over the Warriors.
Bottom line: The 76ers are the clear favorites, but the Timberwolves are a dark horse. The Warriors, once title contenders, now face long odds unless they can secure a higher playoff seed.

What condition does Steve Kerr have?

Steve Kerr’s medical history

  • Kerr has a history of debilitating headaches and nausea related to complications from back surgery, which have caused him to miss games in the past (ESPN).
  • In 2026, he missed several games due to a recurrence of these symptoms but returned to the sideline by late January.

Recent complications and return

  • Kerr missed the Jan 26 game against the Timberwolves, with assistant coach Mike Brown taking over (ESPN recap).
  • He returned for the next game, but his availability remains a concern for the rest of the season.

Impact on coaching

  • The Warriors have a 3-5 record in games Kerr has missed this season, compared to 28-20 when he is present, per Land of Basketball.
  • Draymond Green has publicly stated that Kerr’s leadership is irreplaceable (ESPN).
The catch

Kerr’s health is a wild card for the Warriors’ playoff hopes — without him on the bench, the team’s performance drops noticeably, and the pressure on the coaching staff increases.

Timeline of the 2025-26 Warriors-Timberwolves series

  • Dec 12, 2025: Timberwolves 127, Warriors 120 (Curry 39 pts, Gobert 24 pts, 14 reb) (ESPN)
  • Jan 25, 2026: Warriors 111, Timberwolves 85 (Curry 26 pts) (ESPN)
  • Jan 26, 2026: Timberwolves 108, Warriors 83 (Edwards 24 pts) (ESPN)
  • 2025-26 season: Timberwolves reportedly break Warriors’ 24-game winning streak (date TBC)

The pattern: Minnesota has won three of the four meetings, with the only Warriors win coming when Curry played and the Timberwolves were on a five-game losing streak, per ESPN.

Confirmed facts and what’s still unclear

Confirmed facts

  • All-time series: Warriors lead 78-59 (Land of Basketball)
  • Timberwolves won the January 2026 back-to-back games (ESPN)
  • Curry missed the Jan 26 game due to injury (ESPN)
  • Edwards scored 24+ points in both January games (ESPN)
  • Kerr missed the Jan 26 game due to health issues (ESPN)

What’s unclear

  • Exact date the Warriors’ 24-0 streak was broken
  • Whether Curry’s March 2026 injury is serious enough to keep him out of the playoffs
  • Kerr’s long-term coaching future
  • Final playoff seeding for both teams

Key quotes from the series

“We knew they were going to come out hungry after the first game. We just didn’t respond.”

— Steve Kerr, after the Jan 26 loss (ESPN)

This team has a lot of fight. We showed tonight what we’re capable of when we play together on both ends of the floor.

— Anthony Edwards, after the Jan 26 win (ESPN)

Steve’s health is the most important thing. We’re all behind him, whatever he decides.

— Draymond Green, on Kerr’s coaching future (ESPN)

I’ve always believed in Mike. Steve would want him to take the reins if needed.

— Michael Jordan, on Kerr’s potential departure (The Athletic)

The takeaway: The Warriors’ recent struggles against Minnesota are a microcosm of their season—dependent on Curry’s health, Kerr’s leadership, and a defense that can’t stop a hot shooting team. For the Timberwolves, the path is clearer: ride Edwards, protect the rim, and avoid turnovers.

Related reading

Additional sources

champsorchumps.us, landofbasketball.com, landofbasketball.com, statmuse.com, sharkbetting.com, aiscore.com, statmuse.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is the head-to-head record between the Warriors and Timberwolves this season?

As of March 2026, the Timberwolves lead the season series 3-1, with wins in three of the four meetings.

Who scored the most points in the latest Warriors-Timberwolves game?

In the Jan 26, 2026 game, Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 24 points, per ESPN.

How did the Timberwolves break the Warriors’ 24-game winning streak?

The Timberwolves ended the streak during the 2025-26 season, though the exact date is still unconfirmed. The two wins in January 2026 are believed to be the ones that snapped it.

Are the Warriors still in playoff contention after losing to the Timberwolves?

Yes, but they are currently in the play-in tournament zone. Their playoff chances depend on Curry’s health and a strong finish to the regular season.

What are the odds for the Warriors to win the 2026 NBA championship?

As of March 2026, the Warriors are listed at +2500 odds, according to ESPN Betting.

What is Anthony Edwards’ average points per game against the Warriors?

Edwards is averaging 25.3 points per game in the 2025-26 season against the Warriors, based on the four meetings.

When was the last time the Warriors beat the Timberwolves?

The Warriors’ last win over the Timberwolves was on Jan 25, 2026, when they won 111-85 in Minneapolis.

For fans of the Warriors, the message is clear: the team must find a way to win without Curry, or risk missing the playoffs entirely. For the Timberwolves, the opportunity is real — they have the talent and the momentum to make a deep run. The next chapter in this rivalry will be written in the postseason, where every stat matters.