Wolves Wrap: Rubio-led comeback falls short as Warriors outlast Wolves
By Ryan Heuer
Ricky Rubio couldn’t do it twice.
Just five days after leading a heroic fourth quarter comeback in a win vs. the Memphis Grizzlies, the Spanish dynamo needed to muster up that same magic tonight against the Golden State Warriors. After a valiant effort, the Wolves ultimately fell, 94-91.
Down 85-71 with 7:22 remaining in the game, Rubio followed up a Gorgui Dieng free throw with seven points and two beautiful assists to Thaddeus Young to cut the deficit to just two at 85-83. The Wolves tied it at 87 and 89 before Klay Thompson finally woke up and drilled a cold-blooded 3.
Minnesota had a couple chances to take its first lead since the first quarter, but with 36 seconds remaining in the game and the Warriors ahead 92-91, Rubio missed a 20-footer. With eight seconds left and the score still the same, Nikola Pekovic had an open look but his layup just rimmed out.
The Wolves fouled after Pek’s missed layup, but hadn’t exceeded the limit yet. The Warriors only needed to inbound the ball and hit their free throws. However, the inbound pass was tipped and bounced around to at least five different players like a hot potato. Andrew Wiggins could have easily grabbed the ball, but instead tapped it right back to Stephen Curry (see: Tweet of the Night).
Curry hit both free throws to put the Warriors up 94-91. The Wolves had more than two seconds on the clock, and ended up with two chances to tie the game. Nevertheless, Minnesota got a total of zero (0) shots off. Is there anything more Wolvesy than that?
The Wolves played terrible for 40 minutes and 38 seconds. If it weren’t for Rubio igniting the comeback, this would have been an ugly game. Though the fourth quarter had the exact same feel as the Grizzlies game, the Wolves just couldn’t get that final bucket to drop.
Star of the Game
Despite the loss, Rubio was the star of this game. Though his play was sub-par until the fourth quarter (he had four turnovers), without Rubio’s heart and hustle the Warriors probably would’ve won by 20+. Rubio continues to show just how much he cares even in a lost season.
Ricky’s play since his return has all but silenced the critics of his new contract. He can change the flow of a game at any moment, and he shot the ball well once again.
Tweet of the Night
Stat of the Night
The Warriors’ bench played outstanding, and the Wolves bench played couldn’t have played worse. Golden State reserves combined for 34 points on 56.7% shooting with 12 boards and nine assists. Timberwolves reserves scored 14 points on 1-17 shooting from the field. Seriously. That’s not a typo. At least we know they can make free throws, right?
I wrote in this game’s preview that the Wolves would need Shabazz Muhammad and Gorgui Dieng to step up tonight and duplicate their strong performances from Monday. That didn’t happen.
Notable Lines
- Ricky Rubio: season-high 18 points (7-16 FG, 2-5 3PT, 2-2 FT), 5 assists, 9 rebounds, 3 steals
- Kevin Martin: 21 points (9-19 FG, 3-5 3PT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
- Nikola Pekovic: 17 points (6-13 FG, 5-7 FT), 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks
Who’s Got Next?
Many of the Timberwolves get to rest during the All-Star Break before facing the Phoenix Suns a week from Friday. Some, however, are participating in this weekend’s festivities.
Minnesota will have four representatives in Friday night’s BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge: Andrew Wiggins, Shabazz Muhammad, Gorgui Dieng, and Zach LaVine. LaVine will then participate as the favorite to win the Sprint Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night.
Be sure to check back with Dunking With Wolves for coverage of your favorite Timberwolves participating this weekend. We will provide previews and analysis of the events.