SAN FRANCISCO – Rookie James Wiseman scored a career-high 25 points off the bench as five players scored in double figures to help the Golden State Warriors defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 123-111 on Wednesday night at Chase Center.
The Warriors (10-8) sweep the two-game series over the Timberwolves (4-13). Golden State defeated Minnesota 130-108 on Monday night.
“I’m happy we got the win. I’m happy we got the victory,” Wiseman said. “Today was a great game and I’m going to continue to build on that. I like the fact that we got the dub tonight… again, back-to-back wins.”
Wiseman was a force around the basket tonight, available for lobs using quick moves in the paint. He also showed a sweet shooting touch, knocking down 3-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc. Wiseman finished plus-14 in 24 minutes of action tonight and made 9-of-14 shots from the floor adding six rebounds.
“I’m very capable of hitting that shot,” said Wiseman. “I was open and just took it and shot it with confidence. I put up a lot of shots before shootaround… then I go to my shootaround time and put up more shots.”
“James was fantastic tonight,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Obviously, some highlight reel dunks in transition and catching lobs, but what we were pleased about was his verticality at the rim. He must’ve had four plays where he did what exactly what he’s being taught everyday: get position, jump straight up, arm straight up and don’t come down and don’t reach.”
“That was one of my best games defensively,” said Wiseman, who also finished with two blocks.
Kelly Oubre Jr., who has been the subject of trade rumors recently, scored 16 of his 20 points in the second quarter. The 16 points Oubre scored in the second quarter were the most he’s scored in a quarter in his career.
He finished 7-of-9 shooting (2-of-3 on 3s) and nine rebounds while battling foul trouble all night after picking up two personal fouls in the game’s first minute. That didn’t deter Oubre’s confidence in the game.
“I used to do that [pick up fouls] a lot early in my career,” Oubre said. “It would mess my flow up. Mess my rhythm up. For me, I would just stay loose on the sideline and keep my mind in the game. Staying focus.”
Andrew Wiggins chipped in 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting and Damion Lee scored a season-best 17 of the Warriors’ 54 points off the bench.
Lee hit four 3s to go along with three steals. Stephen Curry scored 16 points with eight assists and six rebounds. Curry struggled with his shot for most of the game, shooting just 6-of-17 from the floor, including four 3-point shots after scoring 36 points in Monday’s victory over the Timberwolves.
Like Wiseman, fellow 19-year-old rookie Anthony Edwards dropped 25 points for Minnesota. It was the second 20-point game for the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s NBA draft. Edwards shot 9-of-19 from the floor, including a season-high five three’s.
Malik Beasley added 25 points, while Naz Reid added 19 points as the Timberwolves lost their ninth straight on the Warriors home floor.
Golden State hits the floor again on Thursday as they head to the Valley of the Sun to take on the Phoenix Suns.
Photo by Warriors/Twitter
