Timberwolves vs. Warriors: Game Three Looms Large Amid Stephen Curry’s Injury
The Golden State Warriors’ playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves has taken an unexpected and dramatic turn following Stephen Curry’s injury in Game One. What initially looked like another tightly contested postseason matchup quickly became unpredictable. After dropping a blowout loss in Game Two, concerns have grown about Golden State’s ability to compete without its superstar player. Yet, with the series tied 1-1 and shifting back to San Francisco, the Dubs remain very much in the fight. The pressure is now on both teams to respond in what’s shaping up to be one of the most compelling matchups of the playoffs.
Stephen Curry suffered a left hamstring strain in the second quarter of the Game One win. Though it’s classified as a grade-one injury, the least severe of its kind, hamstring strains can be deceptively limiting. Even slight overexertion can worsen the injury and potentially sideline a player for weeks, which is a risk the Warriors simply cannot afford to take. Historically, the team has had its struggles without Curry, but they managed a 7-5 record this season in his absence. Two of those wins came against the second-seeded Houston Rockets, showing that the team still has a functional offensive system without their star. However, replacing Curry’s shot creation, leadership, and gravity on the floor is not something you solve with just one or two adjustments; it requires a full team effort.
The biggest bright spot in Game Two for Golden State was the emergence of Jonathan Kuminga. The 22-year-old forward poured in 18 points on eight-for-11 shooting, showcasing his explosiveness, mid-range polish, and improved decision-making. While the Dubs were overwhelmed overall, Kuminga's performance was a much-needed silver lining. He averaged 19.4 points per game this season in matchups where Curry sat, and he could be poised to play a central role moving forward. Confidence is key for young players in the playoffs, and Kuminga’s Game Two showing may be exactly what he needed to assert himself. The real question now lies with Steve Kerr; will he unleash Kuminga, or will he revert to trusted veterans?
Kuminga’s fit alongside Jimmy Butler could be a deciding factor in the rest of this series. Although their combination hasn’t been especially effective in recent games, Golden State may have no choice but to experiment. Without Curry, Butler becomes the team’s offensive anchor and primary playmaker. To make that dynamic work, Kerr must ensure the floor is properly spaced. Shooters like Quinten Post and Buddy Hield will be crucial to prevent Minnesota’s defense from collapsing into the paint and daring the Warriors to shoot. If spacing is optimized, Butler and Kuminga could create mismatches and force the Timberwolves into uncomfortable rotations.
Jimmy Butler, for his part, is facing heightened expectations. The veteran forward, known for his playoff grit, averaged about 17 points, five rebounds, and five assists during the regular season, but his postseason performance has been inconsistent. He’s shooting just 39% from the field in the first two games of the series, a noticeable dip from his 50% efficiency during the regular season. While his hustle, leadership, and defensive intensity remain intact, the Warriors need more than intangibles from him. They need the version of Butler who dragged the Miami Heat to the Finals, the scorer who can take over in the fourth quarter. Game Three could be his chance to rewrite the narrative and reassert himself as the closer Golden State desperately needs.
Beyond Butler, the supporting cast will play a massive role in determining the Warriors' playoff fate. Brandin Podziemski has earned Kerr’s trust as a starter and primary ball handler in Steph’s absence, but he’s struggled to find his shooting rhythm. Averaging 10 points per game on 37% from the field in the playoffs, he needs to be more aggressive and efficient. His ability to make plays, initiate offense, and hit open shots could make the difference in tight stretches. Buddy Hield, meanwhile, has been one of the most consistent shooters on the roster, averaging nearly 13 points per game while hitting 45% of his threes. His Game Seven heroics against the Houston Rockets, where he dropped 33 points, demonstrated that he thrives under pressure. The Warriors need that version of Hield more than ever on Saturday night.
Three-point shooting will be a defining factor in how this series plays out. Golden State doesn’t want to live and die by the three, but their advantage from beyond the arc has often been their separator. In the Game One win, Draymond Green’s four three-pointers forced Rudy Gobert to step out, creating room for slashing guards and driving lanes. In Game Two, however, Green hit just one from deep, and Minnesota’s defense packed the paint as a result. When Green is connecting from long range, he becomes a silent disruptor, spacing the floor and making defensive anchors like Gobert uncomfortable. His shooting may determine whether Kerr can successfully run lineups featuring non-shooters like Butler and Kuminga without compromising spacing.
As the Warriors prepare for Game Three, scheduled for Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time, the stakes couldn’t be higher. With home-court advantage back in their favor and a crowd ready to rally behind them, the Dubs have a golden opportunity to regain control of the series. The absence of Stephen Curry looms large, but this roster is not short on talent or pride. For the Warriors to come out on top, it will require a complete performance, gritty defense, hot shooting, smart rotations, and trust in their depth. This is the moment where rising stars like Kuminga, role players like Podziemski, and veterans like Butler and Hield must prove their worth. If Game Three is any indication of how the rest of this series will unfold, fans are in for a battle.
