Warriors Win the Battle, But Lose Their General
The Golden State Warriors opened their second-round playoff series with a critical road win against the Minnesota Timberwolves. But that triumph was quickly overshadowed by bad news: Stephen Curry exited with a hamstring injury and is expected to miss at least the next three games.
The official diagnosis — a Grade 1 strain — puts Golden State’s playoff hopes in a precarious position. Curry, the offensive engine of the team, will be sidelined just as the series heats up.
How the Warriors Managed Without Curry
Before exiting, Curry hit a deep three that helped the Warriors build a 10-point lead. Golden State remarkably expanded that margin to 23 points, relying on timely shooting from unexpected sources.
Buddy Hield knocked down three threes in a blistering third quarter. Draymond Green, not known for his scoring, stepped up with four three-pointers of his own — two of them immediately after Curry left the game.
Minnesota, meanwhile, went ice cold. They missed their first 15 three-point attempts and finished 5-for-29 from beyond the arc. But those shooting numbers rarely persist across a series, and Golden State knows it can’t count on such cold shooting again.
The Offense Without Steph
Golden State has historically struggled to score efficiently without Curry. This season, non-Curry lineups ranked in the 11th percentile in offensive efficiency according to Cleaning the Glass.
Jimmy Butler’s arrival helped stabilize things, especially on defense. Lineups with Butler and no Curry have posted a net rating of +13 per 100 possessions. But Butler is also dealing with a lingering pelvis injury and hasn’t been fully efficient since returning.
Coach Steve Kerr will need to carefully manage minutes and stagger rotations. Jonathan Kuminga and Pat Spencer provided short bursts of energy in Game 1, but depth remains a concern.
Timberwolves Regain Series Control
Despite the Game 1 loss, Minnesota is now favored to win the series. ESPN BET gives them a 65% chance to advance, with the Timberwolves favored by 10.5 points in Game 2.
The uncertainty surrounding Curry’s availability — and the risk of reinjury — tilts the scales. Even if he returns later in the series, his effectiveness could be compromised. The precedent is clear: stars returning early from hamstring issues, like James Harden in 2021, have struggled.
The Warriors’ challenge is now to extend the series long enough to give Curry a real shot at returning at full strength.
Final Verdict: A Turning Point with a Twist
Game 1 could have been a tone-setter for the Warriors. Instead, it became a bittersweet moment. They stole home-court advantage but may have lost their best player in the process.
The path forward will test Golden State’s depth, coaching, and composure. With Curry out, the Timberwolves hold the upper hand. The Warriors must now fight to buy time — and hope their superstar can return before it’s too late.
