The Golden State Warriors walked away with a Game 1 victory. But Stephen Curry’s injury changed everything. Despite the 99-88 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Warriors suffered a major blow. Their leader and top scorer, Curry, strained his left hamstring. An MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain, and the team has ruled him out for at least one week. That means he will miss Games 2, 3, and 4. At best, Curry returns for Game 5 on May 14. His absence casts a long shadow over the Warriors’ playoff chances. A series win without him feels very unlikely. The Warriors won the battle in game 1 on the road but Stephen Curry’s injury and subsequent absence means they may have lost the war.
Stephen Curry’s Injury Means The Warriors Lost Despite Winning
The Moment Curry Went Down
Stephen Curry’s injury occurred midway through the second quarter. Curry hit a floater, then immediately grabbed his leg. He stayed in the game for 29 more seconds before exiting. He walked straight to the locker room, never to return. His night ended with 13 points in 13 minutes.
Coach Steve Kerr said Curry felt crushed. The mood around the team shifted. Even with the win, concern replaced celebration. “We’re all concerned about Steph,” Kerr said. “It’s part of the game.”
The news had an immediate betting impact. Minnesota’s odds to win the series jumped from -165 to -200. The Warriors, once favorites, are now +170 underdogs.
Offense Without Curry: A Historic Struggle
The Warriors have long struggled to score when Curry sits. Their offensive rating without him ranks in the 11th percentile, per Cleaning the Glass. From 2015 to 2019, Curry’s presence masked many flaws. Without him, Golden State loses its identity.
Stephen Curry’s injury highlights this concern again. For the Warriors to survive, they must find a way to generate offense. Fortunately, Jimmy Butler’s trade deadline arrival gives them hope.
Butler offers elite playmaking and a knack for drawing fouls. He can initiate offense and control tempo. Since his arrival, lineups with Butler but no Curry have performed near league average offensively. Defensively, they’ve dominated.
Still, Butler isn’t fully healthy. He’s nursing a pelvis contusion and recently missed a game. He’s averaged 20.4 points per game since returning, but he’s shooting only 42%. The Warriors must avoid overusing him.
Kerr Must Balance Minutes Carefully
Steve Kerr now faces a new coaching challenge. He must stagger Butler and Draymond Green’s minutes effectively. In Game 1, Kerr rested Butler late in the third quarter while Green ran the offense. Golden State held steady during that span.
Expect Kerr to repeat this strategy. Green’s improved shooting helps. In Game 1, he hit four three-pointers, his most in a playoff game since 2017. Buddy Hield also stepped up, continuing his hot streak.
These players must now carry the team’s offensive burden. But they can’t replicate what Curry provides. The Stephen Curry injury forces Golden State into unfamiliar territory.
Minnesota Still Struggled
Even with Curry out, the Timberwolves failed to capitalize. They shot just 5-of-29 (17%) from three-point range. They missed their first 16 threes, a cold streak that gave Golden State breathing room.
Naz Reid finally ended the drought early in the third quarter. But Minnesota’s poor shooting gave the Warriors a path to steal the win. That probably won’t happen again. The Timberwolves are now 10.5-point favorites in Game 2.
The Bigger Worry: Curry’s Return
Even if Curry returns by Game 5, the Warriors can’t assume he’ll be the same. Muscle strains can linger. If he returns too early, his mobility could suffer. That would limit his explosiveness and defensive ability.
Curry’s injury is more than a temporary setback. It changes the entire trajectory of Golden State’s playoff run. Without Curry at 100%, they face an uphill battle.
Stephen Curry’s Injury: The Real Cost of Game 1
Golden State may have won Game 1. But they lost their heartbeat. Curry’s injury has created uncertainty, forced lineup changes, and weakened their championship hopes.
The Warriors must now rely on Butler, Green, Hield and Brandin Podziemski. But without the greatest shooter ever, they’re no longer favorites. Curry’s recovery and return will decide their fate.
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