The Warriors started their second-round series against the Timberwolves exactly how they hoped. They dominated Game 1 off minimal rest, holding the Wolves to only 88 points. Unfortunately for the Warriors, however, Stephen Curry left the game with a hamstring injury in the second quarter and could not return. Although the Warriors looked solid while gutting out a victory without their star, the impact of Curry’s hamstring injury can’t be understated. If Curry is forced to miss multiple games this series, Golden State could be finished. Warriors fans will patiently be waiting for Curry’s MRI results on his injured hamstring to see if their season still has life.
Curry’s Hamstring Injury Could be Death Sentence for Warriors
Wolves-Warriors Game 1 Surprise
If someone told you that the Warriors were going to come into Minnesota, on less than 48 hours’ rest, and dominate the Timberwolves without Curry for most of the game, you’d have told them they are crazy. Except that is exactly what happened. Players like Draymond Green and Buddy Hield picked up the scoring slack without Curry. Then the Warriors’ elite defense (and Minnesota’s abysmal shooting) led them to a surprising Game 1 victory.
Curry’s MRI Results Are Everything
Winning without Curry in a playoff game is extremely impressive. The Warriors showed their veteran grit and composure by holding onto their lead against Minnesota and closing out the win. This was all while Curry watched from the locker room. The early prognosis on Curry’s hamstring isn’t great. Comments from Curry and the team have made it seem like this injury could be a multi-game issue.
Steve Kerr said after the game, “He’s obviously crushed. But the guys picked him up and played a great game, and obviously we’re all concerned about Steph, but it’s part of the game.”
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Curry is set to miss at least one week. This is obviously devastating news for the Warriors.
Playoff Jimmy Needs to Arrive
There has been speculation online about how long Curry’s hamstring strain could keep him out. Even a Grade 1 hamstring strain can keep a player out 10 days. Furthermore, rushing a player back from an injury like that has a very high risk of reaggravating the issue. The Warriors are likely going to have to move forward in this series without Curry, at least for a bit.
This is exactly why the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler. With Curry’s injury potentially putting him out for multiple games, the Warriors will look to Butler’s leadership and offense to lead the way. The problem is, the Warriors have kind of been waiting for “Playoff Jimmy” to arrive for weeks.
It isn’t that Butler has been bad these playoffs; it’s just that he hasn’t had his staple dominant offensive performances. A huge game from Butler in Game 5 or 6 against the Rockets could have helped the Warriors get more rest, and maybe Curry wouldn’t be injured right now. Butler seems to still be hampered by his big fall in round one. Still, there are no excuses in the playoffs. If Butler is still as good as we all have seen, he should be able to help the Warriors stay afloat with Curry out. If he can’t, the Warriors’ season could be over.
Featured image: © Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
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