Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr deflected any blame for resting Stephen Curry late in the third quarter and early in the fourth as the Minnesota Timberwolves surged back to regain the lead with a plus-12 stretch.
Warriors led by as many as 12 points in the first half and went into the break up 54-46, but with Curry resting, Nickeil Alexander-Walker led Minnesota’s scoring run with three 3-pointers.
During his postgame press conference, Kerr explained how he is resting Curry because the team will play five games in eight days, including the 110-114 loss to the Timberwolves.
Golden State, however, are in 10th place of the Western Conference standings and in danger of missing the Play-In Tournament, especially with the red hot Houston Rockets, who have won their last eight games, just one win behind them.
Warriors are going from bad to worse
This was Golden State’s only visit to Minnesota this season, giving both teams over four months to cool off from the consecutive games the Timberolves won at Chase Center.
Draymond Green was ejected from their second meeting in the opening minutes for putting Rudy Gobert in a headlock.
Warriors will look to snap their two-game skid on Tuesday when they visit the Miami Heat.