Curry Goes Down, and Warriors Win Anyway
Stephen Curry exited Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals midway through the second quarter with a left hamstring strain. Despite the blow, the Golden State Warriors managed to hold on and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 99–88. But now, the bigger question looms: how long will Curry be out?
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that Curry is considered “day-to-day” and will undergo an MRI on Wednesday. However, Kerr made one thing clear:
“We’re definitely game-planning for him to not be available Thursday.”
When the Injury Happened
Curry appeared to tweak his hamstring just after hitting a 13-foot floater. He reached for his leg, gestured to the bench, and continued for 29 more seconds before walking off the court. He did not return.
At the time of his exit, Curry had 13 points in 13 minutes and had helped the Warriors jump out to a 30–20 lead.
Already Banged Up
Curry, 37, was already playing through a shooting thumb injury. Still, he played a pivotal role in Golden State’s first-round win over the Rockets, averaging:
- 24.0 points
- 5.9 rebounds
- 5.7 assists
His impact extends beyond scoring, he’s the offensive engine of this Warriors team. Losing him alters everything.
The Schedule Adds Pressure
Game 2 tips off Thursday, with Games 3 and 4 coming quickly after. The first extended rest in the series won’t come until after Game 5.
“We have to talk about [finding offense without Steph],” Kerr said.
With such little recovery time, Curry’s availability could hinge more on longer-term playoff survival than a one-game decision.
What’s Next for Golden State?
Golden State will now be forced to adapt. Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler, along with rising contributors like Jonathan Kuminga, will likely need to shoulder a larger share of the offensive burden.
But against a tough Timberwolves defense, and without their all-time leading scorer, the path ahead just got significantly harder.
What Happened Next
Curry’s hamstring strain, suffered in Game 1, kept him out for the rest of the series. Golden State lost four consecutive games without him, and Minnesota advanced past the Warriors to reach the Western Conference Finals, where the Timberwolves were themselves beaten 4-1 by the eventual champion Thunder.
