The Warriors got a critical Game 1 win over the Wolves, but now all eyes go to Steph Curry.
The Golden State Warriors were at a massive rest disadvantage and on the road in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semifinals against the Minnesota Timberwolves. They were forced to play the entire second half without the best player in franchise history. Yet, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr came away with a classic “Strength in Numbers” 99-88 victory to take a 1-0 series lead.
Steph Curry immediately found it easier to get open shots without the Rockets defense on the other side. Curry had a game-high 8 points in the first quarter, and had missed a pair of open threes.
The rest of the players, though, were locked in a defensive battle. Or really, a matchup of missed shots. The Wolves finished the first quarter with a 20-18 lead, led by Rudy Gobert’s 6 points and a pair of offensive rebounds.
Early in the second quarter, Curry seemed to be heating up. He made a step-back isolation three over Jaden McDaniels and a running floater from the free-throw line. However, Curry was clearly favoring his left hamstring and signaling for a sub. Curry left the game and was soon ruled out with a left hamstring strain.
The Warriors could very easily be without their best player for multiple games, and possibly longer. The series may already be over if that’s the case, but it made Game 1 even more critical.
Curry had started a 12-0 Warriors run that would be finished by a scorching hot shooting stretch by Draymond Green. The Dubs defensive anchor was critical offensively for the second consecutive game. Green made four of his first five three-point attempts and had a game-high 16 points in the first half.
Even with the knowledge that Curry was out and it was time to strike, the Wolves offense was abysmal. They did not make a three-point attempt in the first half and Anthony Edwards was held to just one point. Even though Golden State had just 44 points, they were ahead by 13 at the break.
The Warriors could not bank on Minnesota’s offense remaining that cold for long. Could they do enough to hold onto their advantage without Steph?
Gary Payton II replaced Curry in the starting lineup to start the third quarter and immediately knocked down a corner three. After starting the game 0-for-8 from the field, Buddy Hield drained back-to-back threes of his own to extend the lead to 20 with 8:47 left in the quarter.
Soon, the Wolves offense found life. Naz Reid made the first Wolves three of the game and Edwards soon made his first field goal. Minnesota began pushing the pace and Edwards quickly had 9 points in the quarter. However, even without Steph, Golden State did not blink.
Hield led the in Warriors with 16 points in the third, but it was an old “Strength in Numbers” quarter. Pat Spencer was excellent off the bench, recording two steals, making two shots, and even setting a nice screen to free up Hield for an open corner three. Jonathan Kuminga had his most positive minutes of the playoffs as well, making up for some missteps with 7 points.
Yet, there was still plenty of time left on the clock and a Warriors team without Curry. Reid and Edwards led the Timberwolves on an early fourth quarter surge. With 7:42 left in regulation, Edwards made a layup to cut the deficit to 10. Making matters worse for Golden State, Green had already picked up his fifth foul.
Minnesota was within striking distance, so the Warriors asked Jimmy Butler III to take them home.
The Wolves continued to fight, cutting the deficit to single digits multiple times, but Butler made a mid-range basket and assisted Payton and Hield for huge threes to keep the Wolves out of striking distance.
Make no mistake, Butler was critical, but he did not carry the Warriors to this win. He recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists, and 2 steals, but was 7-for-20 from the field. It was a collective effort from the entire rotation, Curry’s hot start prior to the injury included. Kerr played 13 players, including Braxton Key for a brief moment late in the third quarter.
Hield scored a game-high 24 points on 7-for-19 shooting (5-for-8 from three) and was excellent defensively while matched up against Edwards. Green finished with 18 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals.
Kevon Looney grabbed several offensive rebounds and had a big block on Gobert late in the game. While the Warriors offense did not consistently turn those rebounds into points, it allowed Golden State to let critical seconds tick off the clock.
On the other side, the Wolves will be frustrated that they let this game get away. Edwards led Minnesota with 23 points on 9-for-22 shooting. Reid, Gobert, and McDaniels had a combined 40 points on 18-for-33 shooting from the field, but every other Wolves player missed more than half of their shots.
Now, they set themselves up for what would normally be a must-win Game 2 at home. With Curry’s status uncertain though, they may have a little more breathing room. Still, they could have taken control of the series just as it got started.
Both teams will have just one day off before Game 2 on Thursday night in Minnesota. It’s hard to imagine Curry will be able to play, but his status for the series will be the biggest story in the league over the coming days.