Warriors Stun Timberwolves Without Curry, Take Game 1 Behind Hield, Butler and Defense

Golden State Overcomes Curry’s Absence with Depth and Defense

The crowd at Chase Center could feel the tension the second Stephen Curry limped off the court holding his hamstring. Midway through the first half, the Warriors were suddenly without their leader, scorer, and emotional core. For most teams, this spells disaster—especially in the playoffs. But on this May night, Golden State turned adversity into inspiration, storming past the Timberwolves 99-88 to take a 1-0 lead in the second round.

Buddy Hield became the go-to guy in Curry’s absence. His hot hand from deep—five triples on eight tries—kept Minnesota’s defense on its heels. Hield didn’t hesitate, launching from well beyond the arc and energizing the crowd every time he connected. Draymond Green, never shy about stepping into the spotlight, drilled four threes in the first half, finishing with 18 points and his trademark intensity.

Jimmy Butler, new to this Warriors playoff run, looked like he’d been here for years. He stuffed the stat sheet with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists, seemingly everywhere at once. With Curry out, Butler and Green both ramped up their playmaking, orchestrating the offense and making smart reads under pressure.

This wasn’t just a two- or three-man show, though. All told, 12 Warriors saw the floor—and every one left a mark. Youngsters hustled for loose balls, the bench mob kept the energy high, and role players knocked down timely shots. Steve Kerr made it clear in his postgame that this was a game about effort. "It's about the intensity and the heart and the fight, and if you do that, you give yourself a chance," he said.

Timberwolves Freeze Up as Warriors Turn Up the Heat

Minnesota’s night felt like a constant uphill slog. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, usually electric, couldn’t get into a rhythm. The Timberwolves started cold and stayed cold, especially from deep, hitting just six of their 29 three-point tries. Those misses turned into transition opportunities for Golden State’s wings and speedy guards.

The story of the game was written in the second quarter. The Warriors turned up their pressure and outscored Minnesota 26-11. Suddenly, a back-and-forth slugfest tilted into a double-digit game the Timberwolves struggled to reel back in. Minnesota got closer in the third, but Golden State responded every time with hustle plays and defensive stops.

• Buddy Hield led all scorers with 24 points.
• Draymond Green added 18 points while anchoring the defense.
• Jimmy Butler nearly managed a triple-double.
• The Warriors hit 13 three-pointers to the Timberwolves’ six.

Draymond summed up the team’s approach: "It was beautiful to see. Everybody who came into the game gave us something." It’s not just talk—the box score backs him up.

While fans worry about Curry’s hamstring, the series suddenly feels less one-sided than it might have. The Warriors showed they can adapt, switch roles, and dig in when the moment demands it. But Minnesota knows it wasted a golden opportunity with Curry sidelined. Expect fireworks when these teams meet again.