The Golden State Warriors opened the Western Conference Semifinals with a gritty road win in Minnesota — but their victory came with a major scare.
Stephen Curry exited Game 1 in the second quarter with a left hamstring strain, leaving fans stunned and the Warriors bracing for the worst.
Curry’s Injury: What We Know
With 8:48 remaining in the second quarter, Curry knocked down a signature floater from the elbow, but immediately winced in pain. Moments later, he assisted on a Draymond Green three-pointer, then grabbed the back of his left leg and walked gingerly off the court.
The 37-year-old star went straight to the locker room and did not return. The team announced his injury before halftime, officially ruling him out for the remainder of Game 1.
He finished with 13 points in 13 minutes, shooting 5-for-9 before the injury.
ESPN’s Shams Charania reported that Curry has sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain — the first muscle strain of his career. He will be ruled out for Game 2, and the Warriors expect him to miss at least one week, with his return dependent on how his body responds to rehab.
Heavy Workload, Bad Timing
The timing couldn’t be worse. Curry, 37, just logged heavy minutes in a grueling 7-game series win over Houston. That quick turnaround — with just one day off between series — may have left the sharpshooter vulnerable.
Golden State has little breathing room: Games 1–5 are packed into just 9 days, with real recovery time only coming if the series reaches Game 6 (May 18).
What’s Next for Steph?
Curry is scheduled for an MRI on Wednesday morning, and head coach Steve Kerr says his status is day-to-day. However, Kerr also acknowledged that it’s unlikely Curry plays in Game 2, which tips off Thursday, May 8 in Minneapolis.
“He’s obviously crushed,” Kerr said postgame. “But the guys picked him up and played a great game. We’re all concerned about Steph, but that’s part of the game.”
Big Picture: Can the Warriors Survive Without Steph?
Despite the loss of their leader, the Warriors pulled off a gritty 99–88 win behind Buddy Hield (24 points), Jimmy Butler (20/11/8), and a vintage all-around game from Draymond Green (18 points, hustle plays galore).
Still, without Curry, Golden State’s margin for error shrinks dramatically. He averaged 24 PPG against Houston and remains the team’s emotional engine and floor general.
Golden State leads 1–0, but the loss of Curry could shift the entire trajectory of this series. The basketball world now waits for the MRI results — and for Steph’s next chapter in what’s already been a legendary career.
