The Golden State Warriors pulled off a surprising victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night, but the road ahead now depends on the health of their superstar, Stephen Curry. The Warriors emerged victorious with a 99-88 win in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, but the mood is understandably somber after Curry left the game in the first half with a hamstring injury.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr offered a cautious outlook post-game, stating that while Curry is listed as day-to-day, he doesn’t expect the star shooting guard to suit up for Game 2. “We don’t know yet,” Kerr said. “But with a hamstring, it’s hard to imagine that he would play Thursday.” This statement leaves fans and players alike bracing for what might come next.
Curry will undergo an MRI to assess the extent of his injury, but even in the best-case scenario, the quick turnaround—having only one day off before taking the court again—makes his participation feel like a long shot. In their playoff debut this round, Curry played just under 13 minutes and managed to contribute 13 points before exiting, showing just how critical his presence is on the floor.
With Curry sidelined, the Warriors had to dig deep, and they found unexpected heroes in the likes of Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler. Hield was unstoppable, pouring in a game-high 24 points, while Butler almost registered a triple-double, finishing with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. Butler himself recognized the weight of Curry’s absence, stating after the game, “We want Steph back, I’ll tell you that. It’s hard playing without that man.” His acknowledgment underscores not only Curry’s importance to the team’s structure but also the challenge of maintaining a consistent performance without their leader.
Despite the Warriors defending their home court, the Timberwolves’ shaky start certainly played a role in Golden State’s victory. Minnesota struggled offensively, mustering only 31 points in the first half, which resulted in coach Chris Finch calling out his star guard, Anthony Edwards, who managed just a single point by halftime. Edwards eventually found his rhythm in the second half but finished the game with 23 points and 14 rebounds—remarkable, yet it wasn’t enough to clinch a win.
As the Warriors await further updates on Curry’s condition, they can take solace in the fact that they proved they’re capable of winning without him, albeit in a less-than-ideal scenario. While it’s certainly an encouraging sign for the team, facing the playoffs without your best player isn’t a strategy to bank on. Golden State will need to hope for a quick recovery for Curry, because while they can rally together as they did in Game 1, having their star leader on the court will always be a game-changer.
