• Stephen Curry will miss at least one week due to a Grade 1 left hamstring strain suffered in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
• The Golden State Warriors are 9-3 in playoff games without Curry, but the current roster is different from previous iterations.
• The Warriors will rely more heavily on Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and their defense to compensate for Curry's absence.

Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors' star point guard, suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the second quarter of Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. An MRI confirmed the injury, sidelining Curry for at least a week. This absence poses a significant challenge for the Warriors, who must now adapt their strategy and rely on other players to maintain their competitive edge in the series. The Warriors won Game 1 99-88 despite Curry's injury.

• What: Stephen Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, sidelining him for at least a week.
• Who: Stephen Curry, Steve Kerr, Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, Draymond Green, Jaden McDaniels, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves.
• When: Injury occurred on Tuesday, May 7, 2025 during Game 1. Curry will be re-evaluated in one week. Earliest potential return is Game 5 on May 14, 2025.
• Where: Injury occurred in Minneapolis during Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Curry's hamstring injury presents a significant challenge for the Warriors. While they have a winning record in playoff games without him, the current roster lacks the depth of previous iterations. The team's success in Curry's absence will depend on the performance of Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, Draymond Green, and their ability to maintain a strong defensive presence. The Timberwolves will likely adjust their strategy to capitalize on Curry's absence, making the upcoming games crucial for both teams. The focus shifts to the Warriors' role players stepping up and the Timberwolves exploiting Curry's absence.

"I think you literally just take it a game at a time... Steph will be back when he's back. We just focus on tomorrow's game and then we go from there."

"That's just a given. Everyone loves and respects Steph so much, and he's the reason that this whole run has happened... But when it comes down to it, this is about Steph, this whole thing."

"Just because Buddy kind of does the same as Steph, he just shoots a lot of 3s. I wouldn't say he's as good as Steph, but he's like Steph. I just kind of treat him how I guard Steph. Just not giving him no space. Basically being his shadow."

"Every year the playoffs are about adapting, whether it’s a game plan or an injury or a lineup, so we just have to adapt. We’ve done this before, and we’re confident we can do this again."

Kerr recounted Curry’s mood at halftime as “absolutely crushed.”

Stephen Curry's Grade 1 hamstring strain injects significant uncertainty into the Warriors-Timberwolves series, sidelining him for at least a week and Games 2-4. While Golden State demonstrated resilience in Game 1, winning without Curry for most of the contest, replicating that success will be a formidable challenge. The Warriors must lean heavily on their defensive prowess, which has been a key factor since the acquisition of Jimmy Butler, and hope for increased efficiency from young players like Buddy Hield, Brandin Podziemski, and Jonathan Kuminga. Butler will need to elevate his game, assuming the primary offensive role, while Draymond Green's leadership and playmaking become even more crucial. The Timberwolves, now favored in the series, will likely adjust their strategy to exploit Curry's absence, making Games 2, 3, and 4 pivotal. A potential early return for Curry in Game 5 remains a possibility, but the risk of re-injury looms large, adding another layer of complexity to the Warriors' playoff strategy. Ultimately, the Warriors' ability to adapt, coupled with the performance of their supporting cast, will determine whether they can withstand Curry's absence and maintain their competitiveness against a hungry Timberwolves team.