Holding a tight two-point lead over the Minnesota Timberwolves with under 1:30 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Golden State Warriors looked to be nearing a significant step in the Western Conference playoff standings with a win.
However, a collapse in the final minute for the Warriors flipped the game and tightened the playoff race at the No. 6 seed in the wild west.
With the Warriors gripping to a one-point lead, Minnesota’s Kyle Anderson was able to force Draymond Green into a costly turnover with 14 seconds on the clock. Following the turnover from Green, Karl Anthony-Towns immediately drilled his second consecutive 3-pointer to stun the Warriors and take a two-point lead with under 10 seconds remaining.
With the chance to tie the game or take the lead with a clutch shot of their own, Jordan Poole turned the ball over with a pass out of bounds. A Jaden McDaniels free throw and a missed shot from Steph Curry at the buzzer locked the game up for the Timberwolves, 99-96.
Minnesota’s late comeback snapped Golden State’s eight-game home winning streak along with spoiling the return of Gary Payton II. The recently re-acquired guard made his debut with the Warriors on Sunday after missing time due to an adductor injury.
Payton II tallied nine points on 3-of-4 shooting from the floor with two boards, an assist and a block in 15 minutes off the bench against the Timberwolves.
Poole led the way for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 27 points on 8-of-16 shooting from the floor with four boards, two assists and two steals in 31 minutes off the bench.
Following the Warriors’ costly loss to the Timberwolves, the NBA community on Twitter chimed in with reactions. Here’s a look at what fans and analysts were saying about the game on Sunday.
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Standings ramifications of that late-game loss: Warriors would've been 2.5 games up on the Timberwolves and clinched head-to-head tiebreaker. They're instead now only a half-game up and the tiebreaker (conference record) tilts toward Minnesota (26-20 compared to 25-21).
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 27, 2023
Warriors only scored 41 seconds half points — 18 in the third, 23 in the fourth. Their 15th and 16th turnovers were fatal. Gave away two possessions in final minute. Lost to Timberwolves. Record drops to 39-37, back in play-in bracket danger.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 27, 2023
11 turnovers in the second half for GSW
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) March 27, 2023
11 turnovers in the second half for GSW
— Marcus Thompson II (@ThompsonScribe) March 27, 2023
Welcome back @Garydwayne
Didn't get the dub but works not done. Lets get it! pic.twitter.com/CpjvR9fD73
— chan0.eth (@chanodesigns) March 27, 2023
Warriors last-minute turnovers, one-possession game:
2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22 COMBINED: 14
This season ALONE: 14 https://t.co/sb1rGu3YWG
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse) March 27, 2023
Between the Dubs and Wolves, Only 1 Starter scored more than 16pts tonight.
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) March 27, 2023
Let’s be honest: the Timberwolves deserved to win that game. Controlled the glass, dictated the tempo, and defended their asses off. Rough L for the home team.
Tuesday night versus the Pels won’t be any easier.
— Bonta Hill (@BontaHill) March 27, 2023
Interesting point here https://t.co/vdd9D1ivzM
— Shohei Ohtani Stan Account (@AndyKHLiu) March 27, 2023
Worst home loss of the season?
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) March 27, 2023
That loss probably kills any chance they had at the 4 seed and getting Home-court for at least 1 round
— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) March 27, 2023
Offensive possessions the Last 3 mins:
Klay made 3 (to take the lead)
Steph missed layup
Loon Split FTs
Poole made 3
Poole missed 3
Dray turnover
Poole turnover
Steph missed 3— warriorsworld (@warriorsworld) March 27, 2023
Tonight was the fourth time the Warriors have held their opponent to under 100 points.
They were 3-0 in said games before tonight
— Dalton Johnson (@DaltonJ_Johnson) March 27, 2023
They should just start fining Poole for every stepback 3 attempted
— Brian Witt (@Wittnessed) March 27, 2023
Final 📊
Jordan – 27p/4r/2a/2s
Stephen – 20p/6r/9a/1s
Klay – 15p/4r/2a/1s
Draymond – 12p/7r/5a/1s
Gary – 9p/2r/1a/1b
Jonathan – 5p/1r/1a/2s
Kevon – 3p/7r/2a/2s/1b
Donte – 2p/3r/2a
Anthony – 2p/3r/1a pic.twitter.com/Ztar968bqS— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 27, 2023
