Dub Hub: Steph Curry not rushing hamstring recovery as series shifts to the Bay tied 1-1

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Friday, May 9th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry won’t rush the recovery process for his strained left hamstring as the series heads back to the Bay tied at 1-1.
• Steve Kerr explains why he experimented with his rotation in Warriors’ 117-93 Game 2 loss against the Timberwolves.
• NBA will not fine Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton after his game-winner celebration in Game 2.

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry isn’t rushing his way back to the court after suffering a strained left hamstring during the second quarter of Game 1 in the Western Conference Semifinals.

Speaking to reporters prior to the team’s Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday night, Curry addressed the injury while outlining the ongoing recovery process.

The Warriors sorely missed their star point guard in Game 2, losing 117-93 to the Timberwolves in Minnesota. Having said that, Curry revealed he’s not close to considering playing through the injury. It’s the first time in his career he’s dealt with a hamstring issue, and he acknowledged just how unpredictable they can be.

The series is now tied 1-1 as it shifts back to the Bay for Game 3. For now, the Warriors will have to find a way to stay afloat without their leader as he focuses on his recovery—hoping to avoid the risks of a lingering issue for the sake of the team’s long-term championship aspirations.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Friday, May 9th:

Warriors News:

Warriors experiment with rotation in Game 2 blowout and maybe find some answers | The Athletic

Kerr delivered this news to the team at shootaround. It’s a plausible reason why Butler didn’t ramp up the scoring aggression, taking only 13 shots. If Butler, still feeling the impact of his hard fall in Houston, only has one or two 45-minute full-throttle bullets in his chamber, the Warriors clearly didn’t want him to waste them in Game 2.

Kerr instead went about finding the correct combinations to put around Butler — the new focal point of Minnesota’s defensive scheme — and seemed to get some credible information about who should and shouldn’t have a rotation role in this series.

Jonathan Kuminga gives Warriors unexpected, needed scoring option against Wolves | NBC Sports Bay Area

With Stephen Curry sidelined, Kerr and his staff planned for Kuminga to play. He played well enough to move from the far end of the bench to the heart of the rotation as the series moves to the Bay Area for Games 3 and 4.

“Did a great job, I thought,” Kerr told reporters at Target Center. “I was very proud of just the way he’s stayed ready, stayed positive. This has not been an easy stretch for him, and he really came out there and did a great job today, kind of showing what he’s made of.

“He obviously will be back out there for Game 3. And we’re going to need him.”

Jimmy Butler on being more aggressive scoring the ball: “I’m capable of it”

Anthony Edwards brushes off injury scare, lifts Wolves in Game 2 | ESPN

The compliments reached Paul Bunyan-esque proportions as Edwards added to his growing legacy Thursday, helping the Wolves avoid an 0-2 hole against a more experienced Golden State team.

“He always finds a way,” said Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who scored 20 points off the bench. “One thing about Ant, he’s not going to sit out. He’s got to be damn near dead.”

Added McDaniels, who had 16 points on 7-for-10 shooting, three blocks and three steals: “He’s got to have his leg chopped off or some s— [to come out].”

Draymond Green gives a brief postgame statement after Game 2

NBA News:

Oklahoma City Thunder’s defense has become their ‘calling card’ | ESPN

“It felt like seven pit bulls out there. Not five,” Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson after the Thunder converted 22 turnovers into 30 points in a Jan. 16 blowout over the team with the Eastern Conference’s best record. “They were scratching, reaching — in a good sense. Their speed and athleticism, they kind of toppled us over. It was that simple. That’s their calling card.”

Film Study: What to know and watch for as Celtics-Knicks moves to New York | NBA

The Celtics take some of the toughest 3-pointers in the league. According to Second Spectrum tracking, they ranked 25th in the percentage of their 3-point attempts (46%) that were wide open and 28th in the percentage (65%) that came off the dribble in the regular season. The percentage that were wide open was just 34% in the first round, when they shot 38% from beyond the arc overall.

In the first two games of the conference semis, 48% of the Celtics’ 3-point attempts have been wide open. But they’ve shot just 12-for-48 (25%) on those wide-open 3s.

Tyrese Haliburton will not be fined for his celebration dance in Game 2

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Timberwolves Game 2

Pat Spencer

14 minutes, 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 2 fouls, 0-for-2 shooting, 0.0% TS, -20

Spencer provided aggression and energy, which was good. He didn’t provide anything else though, as he couldn’t score, couldn’t get separation, and got cooked on defense.

Grade: C

Post-game bonus: Worst plus/minus on the team.

A tweet to end the week:

Follow @unstoppablebaby on Twitter for all the latest news on the Golden State Warriors.