In a critical development for the Golden State Warriors, superstar guard Stephen Curry has sustained a Grade 1 strain in his left hamstring and will officially be ruled out for Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday, according to sources close to NBA insider Shams Charania. The injury comes at a pivotal time in the series, as the Warriors look to bounce back from a tough Game 1 loss and avoid falling into a 0–2 hole against one of the league’s most defensively dominant teams.
The injury reportedly occurred late in Game 1 during a fast break when Curry appeared to pull up slightly while trying to accelerate. Though he remained in the game for a few more minutes, cameras caught him stretching and wincing on the sideline. After further evaluation and imaging, the team confirmed a Grade 1 hamstring strain — the mildest form, but still one that requires caution, especially for a player with Curry’s playing style and injury history.
Curry has long been the engine of the Warriors’ offense, and his absence will create an enormous void. His ability to stretch defenses with his shooting, initiate pick-and-rolls, and create chaos with off-ball movement is nearly impossible to replicate. Even when he’s not scoring, his gravity bends defenses and opens up opportunities for teammates. Without him, the Warriors will have to find creative ways to generate offense against a Minnesota squad that has been suffocating on the defensive end all season.
The immediate question becomes: who steps up in Curry’s absence? Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins will likely take on larger scoring roles, while Chris Paul may be tasked with running more of the offense as the primary ball-handler. Head coach Steve Kerr could also look to increase minutes for Moses Moody or Brandin Podziemski, depending on matchups. But the truth is, no one player can truly replicate Curry’s impact — the team will have to rely on a collective effort.
From Minnesota’s perspective, this is an opportunity to capitalize. Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves played with intensity and discipline in Game 1, and with Curry out, they’ll look to press that advantage even further. Expect Minnesota to ramp up their physicality on the perimeter and focus on neutralizing Golden State’s remaining shooting threats. If they can take a 2–0 lead back home, the momentum of the series could shift dramatically.
The Warriors will re-evaluate Curry ahead of Game 3, and given the relatively mild nature of the strain, there is hope he could return soon. Still, hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky — rush back too soon, and it could worsen. With so much at stake, the Warriors’ medical staff will be cautious.
For now, Game 2 will be a major test of Golden State’s resilience without their leader. The playoff path just got a lot tougher — and all eyes will be on how the Warriors respond.
