Stephen Curry’s injury didn’t just disrupt Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves — it has shifted the dynamics of the entire Western Conference. With him expected to miss at least the next three games, the Warriors are suddenly navigating a very different postseason than the one they prepared for.
Curry isn’t just Golden State’s top scorer — he’s the player everything revolves around. In the playoffs, he’s averaged 22.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while shooting 40% from deep. The Warriors’ offense operates at a 116.8 rating when he’s on the court. Without him, that drops to 111.8. Their shooting efficiency and ball movement take a hit, and the floor doesn’t stretch the same way.
| Warriors Performance With vs. Without Curry | ||
|---|---|---|
Metric | With Curry | Without Curry |
| Offensive Rating | 116.8 | 111.8 |
| Effective FG% | 57.2% | 51.0% (est.) |
| 3PT % | 39.7% | 34.1% (est.) |
| Assist Rate | 64% (est.) | 54% (est.) |
| Net Rating | +3.7 | +1.2 |
Source: StatMuse, ESPN Advanced Stats
Stepping Up Without the Superstar
That’s what made their Game 1 win so impressive. The Warriors beat the Timberwolves 99–88 on the road, even after losing Curry midway through the second quarter. They did it by committee. Buddy Hield caught fire with 24 points and five made threes. Draymond Green played with urgency, adding 18 points and his usual defensive presence. But it was Jimmy Butler who held everything together — 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in a game where Golden State needed stability more than star power.
Without Butler, this might have looked a lot worse. Since he joined the team at the trade deadline, the Warriors have actually been solid in the non-Curry minutes. Their lineups without Curry but with Butler have posted a +12.8 net rating, thanks to defense and Butler’s ability to generate shots when nothing else is working.
A New Path Forward
But Golden State knows the real test is coming now. Without Curry, defenses collapse more easily, and teams like Minnesota — long, physical, and organized — can crowd the paint and force uncomfortable shots. The Warriors will have to adjust. Expect head coach Steve Kerr to slow the tempo, lean on mismatches, and keep at least one of Butler or Green on the floor at all times to guide possessions. It’ll be more deliberate, maybe a little uglier — but they’ve done it before.
That said, it’s worth remembering this isn’t the same group that once went 9–3 in playoff games without Curry. Back then, they had Kevin Durant, a fully healthy Klay Thompson, and more offensive depth. This group has pieces — but it has less margin for error.
Oddsmakers have already reacted. Golden State’s title odds dropped to +1800, and Minnesota is now favored to win the series. Western rivals like the Thunder and Nuggets will be watching closely. With Curry out, the bracket has opened up a little — and the Warriors aren’t the only ones who know it.
For now, Golden State’s goal is to hold the line. If they can steal another game without Curry and stretch the series into a Game 5 or 6, they’ll give themselves a chance to bring him back into a winnable situation. But until then, they’ll need to win differently — with defense, execution, and just enough shot-making to survive.
Sukhman Singh is a U.S.-based sports writer and data analyst whose passion for sport began with cricket before expanding into football, and global sports. He brings a research-driven, analytical lens to every story, drawing on experience with Southampton FC, Lupus Sport, and editorial platforms like Breaking The Lines and UtdDistrict. With an MSc in Sports Analytics from Loughborough University London, Sukhman focuses on the intersection of performance and storytelling—exploring themes like talent development, coaching strategy, and the evolving identity of modern sport.
