NBA Playoffs: Warriors Step Up Without Curry to Outmuscle Timberwolves in Game 1

Even without their talisman Stephen Curry, the Golden State Warriors opened the Western Conference semifinals with a gritty 99-88 road win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, showcasing their depth, discipline, and defensive muscle. Buddy Hield, fresh off a strong Game 7 performance, again lit it up from deep, scoring 24 points on 5-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc. Veteran forward Draymond Green added 18 points with four first-half threes, while Jimmy Butler flirted with a triple-double, contributing 20 points, 11 boards, and 8 assists. The Warriors used all 12 players and turned up the heat on defense to compensate for Curry라이브 바카라 absence due to a hamstring strain, grabbing a crucial 1-0 series lead as the Timberwolves failed to hold home court.

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Updated on: 7 May 2025 12:38 pm

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

NBA: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) hangs on the rim after a dunk during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

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NBA: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors | Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez/San Francisco Chronicle via AP

Golden State Warriors' Draymond Green (23) brings the ball up the court defended by Minnesota Timberwolves' Julus Randle (30) in the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield (7) celebrates during the second half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

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NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

NBA Basketball Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) handles the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27) defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Basketball Playoffs: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots over Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels (3) during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

NBA Basketball Game: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) gestures after making a 3-point shot during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball Game: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Basketball Game: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler (10) handles the ball as Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) defends during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors

NBA Basketball: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), left, gestures after making a 3-point shot as Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch, right, reacts during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series in Minneapolis.

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NBA Basketball: Golden State Warriors vs Minnesota Timberwolves

NBA Basketball: Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors | Photo: AP/Abbie Parr

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) gestures during the first half of Game 1 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis.