Warriors Take Game 1 Over Timberwolves Despite Early Exit for Stephen Curry

The Golden State Warriors are one step closer to returning to the Western Conference Finals after grinding out a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 on Tuesday night at Chase Center. But the win came with a cloud of uncertainty as superstar guard Stephen Curry exited early with a left hamstring strain.

Curry was ruled out in the second quarter and will undergo an MRI, leaving Warriors fans holding their breath as the team prepares for the rest of the series. Despite the loss of their leader, Golden State got a spark from Buddy Hield, who led the scoring with 24 points, and Jimmy Butler, who added 20 points and 10 rebounds in another strong postseason showing.

Draymond Green also played a key role, finishing with 18 points and helping to keep the Warriors organized without Curry on the floor. Hield continued his recent hot streak from beyond the arc — his 14 threes over the last two games make him just the fifth player in NBA history to do that in a two-game playoff span, joining legends like Curry, Klay Thompson, Damian Lillard, and Desmond Bane.

The Timberwolves struggled offensively, particularly from three-point range, finishing just 5-of-29 (17.2%) from deep. Anthony Edwards, who had just one point at halftime, bounced back to lead Minnesota with 23 points, while Julius Randle added 18.

Golden State's defense was dominant throughout, and under head coach Steve Kerr, the Warriors are now 21-1 in playoff series when winning Game 1 — the only exception being the 2016 NBA Finals.

With Game 2 looming, the big question remains: Will Curry be available, or will Golden State need to keep grinding without their MVP?