Quick Read
- Golden State Warriors face Minnesota Timberwolves tonight with extensive injury list.
- Stephen Curry (right patellofemoral inflammation) and Draymond Green (left low back soreness) are out for the Warriors.
- Minnesota Timberwolves’ star Anthony Edwards is sidelined due to right foot injury maintenance.
- Warriors’ Jimmy Butler III, Jonathan Kuminga, Al Horford, De’Anthony Melton, Seth Curry, and LJ Cryer are also out.
- The game follows a 111-85 Warriors win on Sunday, setting up a challenging rematch.
MINNEAPOLIS (Azat TV) – The Golden State Warriors are set to face the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight in a highly anticipated rematch, but the contest will be profoundly shaped by an extensive injury report for both teams. Following a commanding 111-85 victory on Sunday, the Warriors will attempt to secure back-to-back wins without star players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, among several others, significantly altering the competitive landscape of the game.
Star Power Sidelined on Both Sides
The absence of key players is a dominant theme heading into Monday’s game. For the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry is sidelined due to right patellofemoral inflammation, an injury sustained during Sunday’s win. His absence removes the team’s primary offensive engine and one of the league’s most electrifying players. Draymond Green, the team’s defensive anchor and playmaking hub, will also miss the game with left low back soreness. These two absences alone represent a significant blow to the Warriors’ strategic capabilities.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are not immune to star power being sidelined either. Their cornerstone player, Anthony Edwards, will be out due to right foot injury maintenance. Edwards is the face of the Timberwolves franchise and his absence will undoubtedly impact their scoring and overall offensive flow, evening the playing field somewhat despite the Warriors’ deeper injury list.
Warriors’ Extensive List of Absences
Beyond Curry and Green, the Golden State Warriors’ injury report extends to several crucial rotational players, highlighting a severe test of the team’s depth. Jimmy Butler III remains out with a right ACL tear, an ongoing long-term recovery. Jonathan Kuminga, who had recently rejoined the rotation and was expected to see significant minutes, is sidelined with a left knee bone bruise. His absence is particularly notable given the opportunity for increased playing time with other starters out.
Veteran Al Horford is out for left toe injury management, a planned rest after playing the front end of a back-to-back series. De’Anthony Melton is also out for left knee injury management, as the team carefully manages his return from a previous ACL tear. Seth Curry, Stephen’s younger brother, continues to recover from left sciatic nerve irritation, though reports suggest his return is nearing. Finally, LJ Cryer is out with left hamstring tightness, unfortunately missing an opportunity for significant minutes in a depleted lineup, having only played eight minutes in his young NBA career.
Timberwolves Also Hit by Injuries
While the Warriors’ list is more extensive, the Timberwolves also contend with significant absences beyond Anthony Edwards. Terrence Shannon Jr., a late first-round pick in the 2024 draft, has been out for a month with a left foot abductor hallucis strain. Shannon has not played since Christmas, indicating a prolonged recovery period that continues to affect Minnesota’s bench depth.
The cumulative effect of these injuries sets the stage for a game where both teams will rely heavily on their deeper rotations and less experienced players. The strategic adjustments required to compensate for such significant absences will be a key storyline, as coaches navigate lineups without their usual offensive and defensive leaders.
Implications for Tonight’s Matchup
The game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. PT and available on Peacock, transforms from a potential clash of titans into a proving ground for role players and reserves. The Warriors, despite their dominant win on Sunday, face a much tougher challenge in securing a second victory against a motivated Timberwolves squad that will also be missing its top talent. The outcome will likely hinge on which team’s supporting cast can step up most effectively in the absence of their superstars.
This Monday night game between the Warriors and Timberwolves, stripped of its marquee players, underscores the increasing physical demands on NBA athletes and the critical importance of team depth in navigating a long and grueling regular season.