6. November 14 – at Golden State Warriors (101-104)
Top Performance(s):
Karl-Anthony Towns – 33 points, 11 rebounds, 5 3-pointers
In a game that gained national attention for extra-curricular reasons, the basketball itself was also exciting and memorable. McDaniels, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green were all ejected just one minute into the game after McDaniels and Thompson got in a tangle that ended with torn jerseys. Green infamously involved himself by putting Gobert in a chokehold after the Minnesota big man had gone to break up Thompson and McDaniels. Green was later suspended for his actions.
Steph Curry did not play, a lineup change that would typically take much of the excitement out of a Warriors game. However, Brandin Podziemski brought his A-game with 23 points and some impressive shot-making including a banked three-pointer to beat the third-quarter buzzer and put the Warriors up by seven.
The Timberwolves battled back, thanks in large part to Towns’ three fourth-quarter 3-pointers including the go-ahead with one minute remaining. Conley Jr. added the icing on the cake, nailing a dagger three with eight seconds on the clock, holding the release for Timberwolves fans to savor.
The win was the Timberwolves seventh in a row—the longest streak of the season—and came after beating the Warriors with Curry just two nights earlier. Even though the Warriors were only a middling team this season, there is still an “awe factor” surrounding their dynasty. With this game, the Timberwolves proved they were over that awe.