The Minnesota Timberwolves have recently gotten back on the road to success thanks to the return of their championship-winning defense. After a very inconsistent start to the season on the back end, the Wolves have started to figure some things out and have completely dominated on defense over the last three games.

Oddly enough, Minnesota has faced the two Los Angeles teams in each of its last three contests, winning each game and giving up an average of just 84 points per encounter. They’re certainly starting to resemble the squad that put together the best defense in the league a season ago.

Friday night, the Timberwolves will have their defensive mettle tested by an improved Golden State Warriors squad. But the biggest question is whether one of the best offensive forces in the game will be available to play: Stephen Curry.

The Warriors got off to a hot start to the season, winning 12 of their first 15 games and rocketing to the top of the Western Conference standings. They did it despite Curry missing a few games because of nagging tendonitis in his knees.

After struggling recently, losing five games in a row, it became clear how much Steph would be needed in Golden State’s lineup to reach their potential. He did not play in the Warriors’ win on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets.

According to Steve Kerr, it currently looks like Curry plans to play against the Timberwolves on Friday.

Jaylen Clark (two-sided), Rob Dillingham (right ankle sprain), Jesse Edwards (two-sided), Joe Ingles (left soleus strain) and Leonard Miller (G League assignment) are all out Friday against the Warriors.

Dillingham will miss his fourth straight game for the Timberwolves after previously earning minutes in Mike Conley’s absence.

De’Anthony Melton (ACL) is out and Draymond Green (calf) is questionable.

Green underwent an MRI scan of his calf earlier this week, which came back negative. Kerr mentioned that it was “possible” that Draymond could play against Minnesota.