Warriors Steal Game 1 Amidst Curry Injury Scare
Chase Center buzzed with playoff energy on May 6, 2025, but it wasn’t just the crowd making noise—the Golden State Warriors flexed their muscle in a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of the second round. What should have been a routine playoff opener took a dramatic turn when Stephen Curry, the heartbeat of Golden State, limped to the locker room late in the first half with a left hamstring strain. Even though Curry’s night was cut short, he still notched 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists, cramming an entire highlight reel into just 46 minutes on the floor. His stat line included clutch defense, stuffing 2 shots and swiping 2 steals before the injury scare.
That sudden exit cast a shadow—can Golden State keep the magic alive without their undisputed leader? Early signs point to yes, at least for one night. Buddy Hield picked a great moment to have a hot hand, tying Curry with 22 points and helping the Warriors control the tempo when things got tense. Donte DiVincenzo, filling in the gaps, hustled on both ends and made sure the offense kept humming. But the real separator? The Warriors simply couldn’t miss from beyond the arc, hammering home a stunning 18 threes at a 42.9% clip. Compared to Minnesota’s woeful 5-of-29 from deep—good for just 17.2%—that’s how playoff games swing in a hurry.
Timberwolves Go Cold as Warriors Defense Clamps Down
Minnesota’s struggles were hard to ignore. Anthony Edwards, the Timberwolves’ rising star, looked frustrated after every tough miss, finishing with 20 points but needing 19 shots to get there. The Wolves’ supporting cast never caught fire either, their bench looking shaky and missing open looks that could have shifted momentum. Karl-Anthony Towns found himself guarded tightly and didn’t get the easy touches he’s used to seeing. When the game slowed down, Golden State’s traps and rotations made Minnesota work for every inch.
It was the classic Warriors blueprint: hit your shots, swarm on defense, and let the other side chase the game. Losing Curry made everyone tighten up—Draymond Green pulled in timely rebounds, Klay Thompson dug in defensively even if his shooting cooled, and the entire bench gave just enough stability. You could sense the Timberwolves searching for answers, especially after defensive lapses helped Golden State build a double-digit cushion before halftime. Minnesota now finds itself searching for a spark and, more urgently, a way to unclog their offense while getting their shooters back on track.
The bigger question looms: how long is Curry out? Early reports swirling around the Bay Area hint he could miss at least a week, giving Minnesota a window to pounce. But ask anyone inside that Warriors locker room—they’re not ready to hand over control of the series just yet.
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