Timberwolves lose 119-114 to Warriors, who had rookie Yaxel Lendeborg available

Golden State cleared rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg to play against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night, Marc Delucchi reported for SB Nation's Golden State of Mind. The Warriors had needed every option they could get. They came into the game looking for their second win of the season, and they got it, beating Minnesota 119-114.

The loss leaves the Timberwolves at 3-2. It is their second straight defeat, and both have come down to the final possessions.

Lendeborg's availability mattered because he has been the Warriors' most productive player since opening night. Through four games he was averaging 21.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists in 33.3 minutes, shooting 45.0 percent from the field, 34.6 percent from three and 77.4 percent from the line, according to Golden State of Mind. At 24 he is older than most rookies, and the outlet noted that he has already appeared on lists of the fastest players to reach several early statistical marks. A first-year forward who scores, rebounds and makes plays at that rate gives an opposing defense a lot to account for. Minnesota could not keep the Warriors from reaching 119.

The result also changes how Minnesota's start looks. The Wolves opened with three lopsided wins: 131-106 at Miami, 115-93 at Orlando and 117-94 against Toronto. Each margin was 22 points or more. The last two games have been different. They lost 127-125 at Cleveland, then dropped this five-point game to a Golden State team that had won only once. The two losses add up to seven points, which points more to late-game execution than to a gap in talent. Still, a team with this roster should be beating a 1-3 opponent.

What it means for Friday against the Clippers

Minnesota's next game is Friday, October 30, against the LA Clippers, on NBA League Pass and ClipperVision. The Wolves need it to keep a two-game skid from growing in a Western Conference that leaves little room for early stumbles.

The early-season numbers give two reasons for optimism. In their three wins, Minnesota scored at least 115 points every time and held two of those opponents under 95. Their offense has also held up in the losses, with 125 points at Cleveland and 114 against Golden State. The problem has been at the other end. After allowing an average of 97.7 points in the three wins, the Wolves gave up 127 and 119 in the two losses.

Against the Clippers, the main thing to watch is whether the defense from the season's first week returns. If Minnesota gets back to defending the way it did in Miami and Orlando, this week's two close losses will read as a short slide. If the Wolves give up another score near 120, the questions about how they close games will get louder as October ends.

The Warriors and Lendeborg move on. Minnesota now has to show that its first three games are a better guide to this team than the last two.