The Golden State Warriors didn’t blink when the worst-case scenario unfolded early in Game 1. Stephen Curry exited with a left hamstring strain just minutes into the second quarter, but instead of crumbling, the Warriors rallied behind Buddy Hield’s sharpshooting and Jimmy Butler’s veteran leadership to steal a 99–88 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night.
Curry, who had 13 points in 13 minutes, limped off after hitting a midrange jumper. He didn’t return, and an MRI scheduled for Wednesday now looms large ahead of Game 2.
But in typical Golden State fashion, others filled the void.
Hield Catches Fire Again
Buddy Hield, fresh off a clutch performance in Game 7 against Houston, picked up right where he left off—drilling five of eight from deep and finishing with a team-high 24 points. He wasn’t even fazed when he showed up for tipoff in the wrong pair of shorts.
“It’s just rhythm and confidence,” Hield said postgame. “The rim looks big right now.”
Draymond Green added 18 points and knocked down four threes in the first half alone, while Jimmy Butler flirted with a triple-double, tallying 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists.
Warriors Defense Smothers Cold-Shooting Wolves
Minnesota looked like a shadow of the team that dominated the Lakers in Round 1. The Wolves missed their first 16 three-point attempts and finished a brutal 5-for-29 from beyond the arc. The Warriors’ zone defense completely threw them off rhythm, with Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler swarming every drive and forcing tough looks.
“Our defense won us this game,” said head coach Steve Kerr. “No Steph, no problem—because everyone brought heart.”
Edwards Starts Flat, Finishes Too Late
Anthony Edwards, the Wolves’ rising star and emotional leader, couldn’t get going early. He missed his first 10 shots and had just one point at halftime. Despite finishing with 23 points and 14 rebounds, most of his damage came after the game had already slipped away.
Coach Chris Finch didn’t mince words.
“The light went out for a while,” Finch said. “He came in with a mindset and didn’t adjust when it wasn’t working.”
Edwards, when asked, disagreed: “I played great defense. Just gotta be better offensively.”
Wolves’ Offense Freezes Up
Minnesota’s offense, which had been top-tier throughout the postseason, sputtered badly in the face of Golden State’s relentless pressure. Naz Reid, who ended the three-point drought midway through the third, had 19 points. Julius Randle chipped in 16, but poor decision-making in transition and a lack of consistent ball movement kept the Wolves stuck in the mud.
They were outscored 11–28 in the second quarter and trailed by as many as 23 late in the third.
“We couldn’t generate quality shots,” said Finch. “Transition decisions were diabolical.”
Butler Controls the Pace, Warriors Own the Boards
With Minnesota briefly threatening a comeback in the fourth, Butler calmly slowed the game down and made key plays to keep the Wolves at bay. Golden State dominated the glass, especially late, finishing with an eight-rebound edge and grabbing multiple offensive boards in crunch time.
“That’s how you win playoff games,” said Butler. “You keep your poise, you trust your teammates, and you outwork the other guys.”
Game 2 Looms, Curry in Doubt
Golden State heads into Game 2 on Thursday night with momentum—and the precious homecourt edge now in their favor. But all eyes will be on Curry’s MRI results. For now, though, the Warriors showed once again why they’re built for these moments.
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