Steve Kerr blasts Warriors' late-game execution after overtime loss to Timberwolves

Benyam Kidane

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Steve Kerr blasts Warriors' late-game execution after overtime loss to Timberwolves image

The Warriors looked to be in cruise control against the Timberwolves on Wednesday before a late-game collapse saw them go down 119-114 in overtime.

Golden State led by 14 points in the fourth quarter but then produced several uncharacteristic turnovers, which allowed the Timberwolves to creep back into the contest.

That left coach Steve Kerr less than pleased.

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"I thought we had control of the game and then I thought we just kind of gift-wrapped it. Not to take anything away from Minnesota. They were great," he said.

"They took advantage of our mistakes and our lack of execution, D-Lo (D'Angelo Russell) got hot and guys made big shots. But we missed box-outs, we threw the ball away, we took really difficult shots. So everything we had done to that point to have control of the game we stopped doing, so we got what we deserved."

The Warriors committed just five turnovers in the first half, but they coughed up the ball nine times in the fourth quarter and overtime. The Timberwolves made them pay, turning their 17 total turnovers into 24 points while also attempting 15 more field goals. 

To make matters worse, the Warriors' offense was unable to get going when they needed it most. They scored just 43 points in the second half and OT after piling up 71 through the first 24 minutes. They settled for low-percentage jumpers and tough isolations down the stretch. 

Per NBA.com Stats, the Warriors are 13-14 in clutch games this season (games within five points in the final five minutes). And they're 2-15 in their last 17 overtime contests. 

"If you want to win, especially on the road, you have to execute and we've probably lost five to six games like this on the road this year just because of a lack of execution," Kerr added. 

"We're not good enough to win without executing. We might have been a few years ago; we're not good enough now to win without executing in the fourth quarter on the road."

A familiar face inflicted the damage as Russell caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 consecutive points against his former squad.  

He finished with 29 points on 11-of-23 shooting (7 for 17 from 3-point range). Anthony Edwards added 27 points and Naz Reid had 24 points and 13 rebounds. 

Seven Warriors scored in double figures, but Stephen Curry was the only one to cross 20 points, finishing with 29 points, 10 rebounds, and three assists. 

The Warriors fell to 26-25 on the season. They fell to a half-game behind the No. 6 Timberwolves (28-26) in the Western Conference.

Benyam Kidane

Benyam Kidane Photo

Benyam Kidane is a senior NBA editor and has been covering the league for The Sporting News since 2016. In his spare time you can find him watching Allen Iverson highlights on repeat.