The Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves have begun a series that both sides can describe as disappointing in equal measure. For the Timberwolves, it was a matter of falling behind 1-0 after a truly disappointing Game 1 effort.
For the Warriors, it may prove more dire, as superstar point guard Stephen Curry has sustained an injury that will keep him out of multiple games.
Curry played just 13 minutes in Game 1, leaving early after suffering what was later diagnosed as a Grade 1 left hamstring strain. Golden State still managed to win 99-88, but the possibility of playing a large part of the series without its franchise player was daunting.
Shams Charania of ESPN has since confirmed that Curry will miss at least one week of action due to the injury—meaning he'll be absent from a minimum of three games.
Brian Sutterer MD took to X to provide context on that matter, stating that Curry will be reevaluated in one week but may not necessarily return after seven days.
With Curry set to miss the next three games, and the door remaining open for future absences, the Timberwolves have a golden opportunity to win this series—if they don't look past the reason they'll struggle to.
Timberwolves can't look past Warriors just because Stephen Curry is out
If both teams are playing at their best, the Warriors will have a difficult time keeping up with the Timberwolves while Curry is out. It's a simple matter of one team having all of its pieces and the other missing its most important one.
If the Timberwolves are going to make it to the Western Conference Finals for a second consecutive season, however, then they can't afford to overlook the Warriors' remaining advantages.
Golden State is the more experienced side, with Jimmy Butler boasting two trips to the NBA Finals as a No. 1 player and Draymond Green leading the locker room as a four-time champion. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is also one of the few individuals who can match wits with Timberwolves sideline general Chris Finch.
Golden State has also found itself being able to rely on key supporting players such as Buddy Hield, Moses Moody, and Brandon Podziemski for massive contributions.
Furthermore, Butler's history in the postseason can't be overlooked. He not only led the Miami Heat on two improbable runs to the NBA Finals, including one as a No. 8 seed, but he earned the nickname Playoff Jimmy for his ability to put forth generational performances.
With the added motivation to trying to take down his former team, Butler could torment Minnesota and lead Golden State to an improbable win of their own.
It must also be noted that Julius Randle is in a nightmare matchup against Draymond Green, and that Rudy Gobert struggled to exploit the Warriors' defense in Game 1. For that matter, Jaden McDaniels was quiet compared to Round 1, and the second unit failed to live up to its potential.
Minnesota should win this series, but considering they're the less experienced team and are already trailing 0-1, they can't let Curry's injury lure them into a false sense of security.