Dub Hub: Steph Curry shuts up ‘Twitter fingers’ in win vs. Timberwolves

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, January 16th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry shuts up the Warriors’ social media critics following their 116-115 victory over the Timberwolves.
• Warriors drop to 21 on ESPN’s latest NBA Power Rankings.
• Cavs-Thunder play rematch on Thursday night in game between the NBA’s two best teams.

The Golden State Warriors pulled off a big 116-115 victory over the Timberwolves on Wednesday night. Not only did they secure a crucial bounce back win, they were also able to quiet some of the noise surrounding the team regarding if they had given up on the season.

At the center of it all was Steph Curry, who didn’t just lead the charge on the court but also addressed the skeptics off it. During the broadcast’s postgame interview, he shut down the narrative that his measured response to an all-in trade to save the season signaled any form of surrender.

Curry certainly made people “shut up,” delivering another masterpiece performance with 31 points on 10-of-21 shooting, including an efficient 7-of-12 from beyond the arc. His heroics not only secured the win but also served as a reminder of why he has no intentions of giving up despite the shortcomings of the current roster. For Curry, every team he leads carries championship expectations, and dismissing his ability to will the Warriors to victory is nothing short of “insane.”

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, January 16th:

Warriors News:

Steph Curry gets Warriors a win in Minnesota, pushes back against ‘insane’ surrender narrative | The Athletic

Curry has been understanding of Mike Dunleavy and the Warriors front office’s unwillingness to overpay. He was involved in the Paul George and Lauri Markkanen discussions this summer. He is debriefed in far greater detail than the public about what is and isn’t currently available on the trade market. He gave a green light on the Dennis Schröder deal in December.

Curry still craves some extra rotation help before the Feb. 6 trade deadline. He also seems to know that it won’t likely come in the form of a legitimate second star scorer who could push this team into true contention and is comfortable with the front office’s current approach, considering he’s aware of their inner workings.

How back of Warriors’ bench gave them exactly what they needed | NBC Sports Bay Area

In Santos’ first career start, his activity and impact were infectious despite battling foul trouble.

“Gui’s energy right from the start,” Kerr said. “He’s just a big part of all that. The defense, the switching, the rebounding, the ball movement. He just makes really good basketball plays. He has a good understanding of the game, and that makes other people better.”

ESPN outlines ‘appealing’ LaVine trade package for Warriors | NBC Sports Bay Area

One trade proposal from ESPN’s Chris Herring involved Chicago’s Zach Lavine packing his bags for the Bay:

“Golden State Warriors get: guard Zach LaVine

Chicago Bulls get: forward Andrew Wiggins, guard Gary Payton II, center Kevon Looney, Golden State’s 2026 first-round pick”

LaVine is averaging 24.0 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.4 assists over 34 games for the 18-22 Bulls. He fits the Warriors mold, shooting career-bests from the field (51.7 percent) and on 3-point shots (45.0 percent) this season.

NBA Power Rankings: Kings, Pacers and Wolves catch their groove | ESPN

21. Golden State Warriors

2024-25 record: 19-20

Previous ranking: 13

Next games: @ MIN (Jan. 15), vs. WAS (Jan. 18), vs. BOS (Jan. 20)

The frustration continues to build in Golden State as the Warriors lost to the nine-win Raptors on Monday without Draymond Green (illness/back), Jonathan Kuminga (ankle), Gary Payton II (calf) and Brandin Podziemski (abdomen). Warriors coach Steve Kerr called this as frustrating a night as they have had, citing a lack of execution and discipline on both ends. He blamed himself. With just over three weeks before the trade deadline, Stephen Curry says the Warriors should not panic and make any “desperate” moves at the expense of the franchise’s future. —Youngmisuk

Andrew Wiggins on the Warriors’ trade discourse this week: “Never seen anything. What happened?”

NBA News:

By The Numbers: ‘The Rematch’ between Cavaliers and Thunder | NBA

The Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder will host the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT in what Shaquille O’Neal of Inside the NBA called an NBA Finals preview. This highly anticipated matchup, dubbed “The Rematch,” follows last week’s historic showdown that captivated basketball fans around the world.

The two teams last met on Jan. 8, when the Cavaliers defeated the Thunder 129-122 in Cleveland in what was described as “the game of the year” and an “instant classic” in a “Finals-like atmosphere.”

It was the first game in NBA history between a team on a 15-game winning streak (Oklahoma City) and a team on a 10-game winning streak (Cleveland). Additionally, it was the first interconference game between teams that both entered with a winning percentage of .850 or higher.

Clippers break franchise record in 59-point rout of Nets | ESPN

The Clippers broke the team margin mark of 50 against Oklahoma City on April 10, 2022. It also was the worst loss in Nets’ history, eclipsing a 52-point defeat to Houston on Oct. 18, 1978.

The Nets were without Cam Thomas, Cameron Johnson, D’Angelo Russell and Ben Simmons, among others.

“They were missing a few of their starters,” Leonard said, “so when guys come in and you’re [not] really knowing [the] offense or defense, it could get like that. ... So it’s understandable.”

LA’s largest lead was 64 points midway through the fourth quarter, despite coach Tyronn Lue emptying his bench late in the third quarter.

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant throws down highlight dunk on Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama after whistle blows the play dead

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Timberwolves

Buddy Hield

29 minutes, 18 points, 1 rebound, 3 steals, 2 blocks, 2 turnovers, 2 fouls, 6-for-11 shooting, 3-for-6 threes, 3-for-3 free throws, 73.1% TS, +8

Clutch, efficient offense. Awesome defense. What more could you ask for?

I continue to be surprised, confused, and excited about the defense Hield has been playing. And this time the offense caught up, as he was great all night long, which featured eight fourth-quarter points ... seemingly each more important than the last.

Grade: A

Post-game bonus: Best plus/minus on the team.

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