Timberwolves outlast Russell, Warriors in OT

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Andrew Wiggins, left, drives the basket as Golden State Warriors’ Omari Spellman, right, and Alec Burks defend in the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Nov 8, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Timberwolves needed every one of Andrew Wiggins’ 40 points to outlast D’Angelo Russell and the Golden State Warriors.

Wiggins scored the tying basket late in regulation and the Timberwolves overcame Russell’s career-high 52 points to beat the Warriors 125-119 in overtime Friday night.

“We believe in him,” Timberwolves forward Robert Covington said. “This coaching staff, this organization believes in him. Now he’s starting to see it, he’s starting to feel it. He’s just going out there, he’s being comfortable. Not hesitating.”

Wiggins and the Timberwolves trailed 110-106 with 29 seconds left in regulation. But after two free throws by Karl-Anthony Towns and a forced jump ball by Covington, Wiggins tied it on a drive with 5.6 seconds left. Russell’s 3-pointer at the buzzer missed.

In overtime, Wiggins hit a clinching 3 with 23 seconds to help the Timberwolves snap a two-game losing streak.

“It definitely feels good, knowing that we got that fight,” Timberwolves guard Josh Okogie said. “Every game is not going to be a game where we can just be front-running and win from the beginning.”

Wiggins played 45 minutes, handling point guard duties for a good portion of the game. He had seven assists and zero turnovers. In Wiggins’ last three games, he has scored 25, 30 and 40 points.

“He’s hungry,” Minnesota coach Ryan Saunders said.

Wiggins was not made available to reporters after the game.

Towns battled through foul trouble to score 20 points and grab 14 rebounds. Covington had 17 points and 11 rebounds.

It took all of them to edge Russell and the Warriors, who have lost five of six.

Russell had missed the previous three games for injury-depleted Golden State with a sprained right ankle. His return gave the Warriors their seventh different starting lineup in 10 games. His previous career high was 44 points.

“I think I’m capable of doing whatever with the ball in my hands,” Russell said. “Just trying to make a play every time. Fortunately the shots were going in and we were making plays. It happens like that in this league.”

Alec Burks scored 18 points off the bench for the Warriors, who have the third-youngest team in the league according to Elias Sports Bureau.

Three fouls limited Towns to seven points on five shots in 10 first-half minutes. That, along with 17 points from Russell, helped the Warriors to a 61-60 lead at halftime.

Golden State was 20 for 20 from the free-throw line in the first half. The Warriors finished the game 23 for 24.

“We had control of that game and we just let it slip away,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “It’s unfortunate. Our guys played really hard and, I thought, played well enough to win. Give Minnesota credit. They made big plays down the stretch.”

TIP INS

Warriors G Stephen Curry (fractured left wrist), G Klay Thompson (left ACL surgery), F Kevon Looney (neuropathy), F Draymond Green (sprained left index finger) and F Alen Smailagic (right ankle sprain) are out.

Timberwolves point guards Jeff Teague (illness) and Shabazz Napier (right shoulder sprain) missed their second consecutive game. Saunders said Teague has a good chance to play Sunday against Denver. Okogie started Wednesday’s loss to Memphis, but returned to the bench Friday. He was replaced by Treveon Graham, who started the first six games of the season.

GOOD H ANDS

Covington made the game’s biggest defensive play when he tied up Burks near midcourt and then won the ensuing jump ball. That gave Minnesota the ball so Wiggins could tie the game.

“It was obvious,” Covington said. “He didn’t have nowhere to go. Because I took away the middle, and he turned his back. He only had one way to go.”

UP NEXT

Warriors: At Oklahoma City on Saturday night.

Timberwolves: Host Denver on Sunday.