Steve Kerr hit out at the Golden State Warriors' defense after they went down 127-120 to the Minnesota Timberwolves despite Stephen Curry's best efforts.

Curry returned from a five-game absence due to a quadriceps injury and did so in style, pouring in 39 points.

But Minnesota, without their star player Anthony Edwards, still came out on top, on the back of Rudy Gobert's double-double and a clutch 3-pointer from Donte DiVincenzo.

It was a defeat that left Kerr deeply frustrated with his team's defensive work.

"Our defense let us down tonight," said Kerr, who was without Draymond Green and Al Horford.

"We had several plays in transition in both halves when we lost sight of their shooters. Our transition defence was poor.

"The first part of the fourth quarter, they were 20-5 on their run and we couldn't get anything going. That stretch hurt us. 

"Our guys were amazing with the comeback and gave us a chance but we've got to play better defense." 

On Curry, Kerr added: "He looked great. Just the movement, the flow. I asked him how he was feeling after the first eight-minute run in the first quarter, and he said, 'I feel great.'"

The stepback from 30 is cash @Chase || Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/inokwEF4yj

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Curry, for his part, took the positives from being back out on the court and feeling injury-free.

"Started to feel normal again," Curry said.

"So individually, it was a good first game back just to get my lungs back and feel like myself."

The Warriors are now 13-13 for the season, having lost three of their last five games.