Curry Returns to Lineup, Scores 39 in Warriors’ Loss

Stephen Curry made his anticipated return to the Golden State Warriors lineup on December 12, 2025, after a five-game absence. The star guard scored 39 points, but his efforts were not enough as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 127-120. The game marked Curry’s first action since recovering from a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, a significant development for the Warriors.

Game Recap: Timberwolves Defeat Warriors in Fourth Quarter Surge

The Minnesota Timberwolves secured a 127-120 victory over the Golden State Warriors on December 12, 2025. The game, played without Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards due to injury, saw a back-and-forth battle for three quarters before Minnesota pulled away in the final period. The Warriors had entered the contest with Curry returning from a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, a recovery process that had kept him sidelined for five games.

The first quarter ended with the Timberwolves holding a slim lead, 28-27. The Warriors responded strongly in the second quarter, outscoring Minnesota 36-33 to take a 63-61 lead into halftime. This advantage, however, proved precarious. The third quarter remained tightly contested, with the Warriors adding 28 points to the Timberwolves’ 27, extending their lead slightly to 91-88.

The decisive fourth quarter saw a dominant performance from the Timberwolves. They outscored the Warriors 39-29 in the final twelve minutes, erasing Golden State’s lead and securing the win. The final score of 127-120 was reported by ESPN, detailing the quarter-by-quarter breakdown. The Timberwolves’ surge in the fourth quarter highlighted their resilience, especially in the absence of a key player like Edwards.

Curry’s Return and Team Performance

Stephen Curry’s return to the court was a central focus of the Warriors’ December 12 matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry, who had missed the previous five games due to a left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain, delivered a high-scoring performance, tallying 39 points. His individual contribution included a 12-foot driving floating jump shot, assisted by Quinten Post. This offensive output underscored his importance to the team, even in a losing effort. The Warriors’ official game day preview had indicated his expected participation, following progress in his recovery, as confirmed by Warriors.com.

Despite Curry’s strong showing, the Warriors struggled to maintain consistency throughout the game. They held a two-point lead at halftime, 63-61, and marginally extended it to three points by the end of the third quarter, 91-88. However, the team could not withstand the Timberwolves’ late-game push. The Warriors’ offense managed only 29 points in the fourth quarter, a significant drop from their earlier production, while Minnesota exploded for 39 points in the same period. Donte DiVincenzo also contributed, though he missed a 26-foot three-point pull-up attempt.

The Timberwolves’ victory was notable, achieved without their star player, Anthony Edwards. This demonstrated their depth and ability to perform under pressure. For the Warriors, the loss meant that Curry’s impactful return did not translate into a team win, leaving them to reflect on their fourth-quarter execution. The game details and scores were widely covered, including by ESPN Africa.

Standings Impact

The outcome of the Timberwolves-Warriors game had immediate implications for both teams in the Western Conference standings. The Golden State Warriors, with the loss, dropped to a .500 record, now standing at 13-13 for the season. This places them 5 games behind the Pacific Division leader. The team’s performance against Minnesota, particularly their inability to close out the game, contributes to their current mid-table position.

Conversely, the Minnesota Timberwolves improved their record to 16-9 with the win, extending their winning streak to one game. They currently sit 8 games behind the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder. The standings reflect a competitive Western Conference, with the Oklahoma City Thunder leading with an impressive 24-1 record, followed by the Denver Nuggets at 18-6. The full standings were updated following the game, as reported by ESPN. The Warriors will need to build momentum in upcoming games to improve their standing in a tightly contested conference.

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