Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been ruled out for at least a week after suffering a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during Game 1 of the playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry underwent an MRI on Wednesday, and while there is no set timetable for his return, he will be reevaluated in a week.
This injury marks the first muscle strain of his career, and his return will depend on his progress during rehab. The Warriors will have to navigate the early part of the series without their most crucial player.
Kerr Stresses Adaptability as Warriors Navigate Early Playoff Games Without Injured Curry
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr emphasized a game-by-game approach following Curry’s injury. With limited recovery time between the first few games, the team is not speculating about when Curry might return—possibly Game 6, given the three-day break beforehand.
Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but maintained a focus on strategic adjustments, lineup changes, and resilience, echoing past experiences of adapting in the playoffs due to injuries.
Stephen Curry (NBA)Curry sustained the injury midway through the second quarter of Game 1 after making a floater. Despite briefly staying on the court, he signaled distress and exited to the locker room soon after, ending his night with 13 points in 13 minutes. His absence will span at least Games 2 through 4, and his status for a potential Game 5 remains uncertain. With tight scheduling, the Warriors must recalibrate quickly to compete without their star.
Warriors Embrace Challenge, Draw on Depth and Defense to Win Without Curry
While the Warriors are 9-3 in playoff games without Curry, this marks their first such game since 2018. Back then, the roster featured Kevin Durant, which is no longer the case. Kerr recognized the team’s current depth isn’t as robust, but he remained confident in their ability to compete.
He underlined the team’s understanding of what it takes to win without their leader and noted that the drive to win for Curry is deeply embedded in the team’s culture and motivation.
Golden State’s Game 1 victory has bolstered their belief that they can continue winning without Curry, largely credited to their defensive performance. Role players like Buddy Hield stepped up, leading the team with 24 points.
Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels mentioned the need to treat Hield like Curry on defense, acknowledging the challenge of guarding a high-volume shooter. The Warriors, meanwhile, have rallied around the absence of their leader, with teammates vowing to give their all in his stead and uphold the standard Curry has set for the franchise.
