Stephen Curry of the Warriors suffers injury during Game 1 victory over Timberwolves

Golden State Warriors Claim Game 1 Victory Over Timberwolves Despite Stephen Curry’s Injury Scare

The Golden State Warriors opened their Western Conference semifinal series with a statement win on Tuesday night, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 99–88 on the road in Minneapolis. The Warriors took a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven series despite the early exit of star point guard Stephen Curry, who left the game in the second quarter due to a left hamstring strain.

Curry, 37, scored 13 points in just 13 minutes on 5-for-9 shooting, including three makes from beyond the arc, before sustaining the injury. The four-time NBA champion appeared to tweak his hamstring after driving for a layup, immediately signaling to the bench that something felt off. He did not return to the game and is scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday. Head coach Steve Kerr labeled Curry’s status as “day-to-day,” but noted that the team is preparing as if he won’t be available for Game 2 on Thursday.

Despite Curry’s absence, the seventh-seeded Warriors leaned on their depth, experience, and timely shooting to secure the win. Buddy Hield delivered a crucial performance, scoring a game-high 24 points, including five 3-pointers, and exploding for 16 points in a pivotal third quarter. Jimmy Butler III recorded a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds, continuing his strong playoff form. Veteran forward Draymond Green also played a key role, finishing with 18 points and eight rebounds in a physical matchup.

“Jimmy is as good as any star in the league at reading the game and controlling the tempo,” Kerr said after the game, praising Butler’s leadership in Curry’s absence.

Golden State dominated defensively, holding Minnesota to just 11 points in the second quarter and building a 44–31 halftime lead. The Warriors extended their advantage to 80–60 by the end of the third quarter, capitalizing on a cold shooting night from Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards, who missed his first 10 field goal attempts. Although Edwards finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, his slow start contributed to Minnesota’s early struggles.

The Timberwolves, who entered the series after a five-day layoff, looked rusty and out of sync for much of the night. Head coach Chris Finch acknowledged his team’s lackluster performance. “It didn’t look like us at all,” Finch said. “It didn’t feel like us at all.”

Minnesota made a late push in the fourth quarter, trimming the Warriors’ lead to single digits with a 13–2 run that cut the deficit to 85–76 with just over six minutes left. But Hield responded with a critical 3-pointer on the next possession, followed by a driving jumper from Butler that pushed the lead back to 90–76. From there, Golden State maintained control and closed out the win with poise.

Naz Reid provided a spark off the bench for Minnesota with 19 points, while Julius Randle added 18 points. However, it wasn’t enough to overcome the Warriors’ defensive intensity and balanced scoring attack.

The Warriors now turn their attention to Game 2, which takes place Thursday night in Minneapolis. With Curry’s status uncertain, Golden State may once again have to rely on its supporting cast to maintain momentum in this hard-fought Western Conference semifinal battle.