Context:

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which led to his early exit from the game and will keep him sidelined for at least the next three games. The injury occurred in the first quarter when Curry was cutting and immediately signaled discomfort by grabbing his hamstring. Despite initial hopes of a minor issue, it was confirmed to be more severe than a cramp, requiring a re-evaluation in one week. The absence of Curry, a pivotal player for the Warriors, poses a significant challenge as they aim to advance beyond the first round of the playoffs as a rare 7-seed team. During the regular season, the Warriors had a 7-5 record in the 12 games Curry missed, indicating a tough road ahead without their star guard's contribution on the court.

Dive Deeper:

• Stephen Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain early in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, forcing him to leave the game in the second quarter. The injury was visibly painful as Curry attempted to continue playing, but he eventually needed to be substituted and ruled out for the rest of the match.

• The Golden State Warriors announced that Curry will be re-evaluated after one week, implying he will miss Games 2 through 4 at a minimum. This timeline is consistent with typical recovery periods for such injuries, which range from seven to ten days for a Grade 1 strain.

• Curry's injury marks the first time in his career he has strained a muscle, and his exact return is uncertain. ESPN reports indicate a cautious approach, given the significance of the playoffs and Curry's crucial role in the team.

• Prior to his injury in Game 1, Curry played 13 minutes, scoring 13 points with one rebound and one assist. His absence puts additional pressure on the Warriors, who need to adapt their strategy to compensate for the loss of their leading scorer and playmaker.

• The Warriors historically performed reasonably well without Curry, achieving a 7-5 record in his absence during the 2024-25 season. However, the stakes are higher in the playoffs, and his leadership and experience are irreplaceable as they face the Timberwolves.

• Game 1 concluded with the Warriors securing a victory over the Timberwolves, but the team's ability to maintain momentum without Curry remains uncertain. The upcoming games will test the depth and resilience of the Warriors' roster.

• The playoff schedule features minimal rest between games, with only one day off between the first five games. This tight schedule adds to the challenge for the Warriors as they navigate the series without their star player.

• The Warriors were without star guard Stephen Curry for the majority of Game 1 against the Timberwolves. That absence will extend through Game 2, and possibly beyond.

• Golden State is one of the few 7-seeds to ever make it out of the first round of the NBA playoffs, and now they have the deck stacked against them.

• Curry initially went to the locker room early in the second quarter after checking himself out of the game. Before the end of the first half, though, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. 

• Steph Curry went to the locker room after an apparent leg injury pic.twitter.com/xS3D5mW5Vo

• — Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 7, 2025 Here are the latest updates for Curry.  

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• Stephen Curry injury update

  Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, the team announced Wednesday. 

• Curry suffered the injury in the first quarter of Game 1. The injury looked like it happened when he was cutting, and he instantly started grabbing at his hamstring. He tried to work it out on the next offensive possession. It ended with Curry taking a shot as he visibly looked uncomfortable.

• Stephen Curry (left hamstring strain) will not return to tonight’s game.

• — Warriors PR (@WarriorsPR) May 7, 2025 He signaled to the bench for a sub, was taken out, and went to the locker room. The hope was that it would be a minor injury, and he could work out like a cramp, but it has proven to me much more.

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• How long is Stephen Curry out?

  The Warriors will re-evaluate Curry in one week, meaning he will be out for Games 2 through 4, at minimum.

• ESPN's Chams Charania reported that the "exact return timetable is unclear" because this is the first strained muscle of Curry's career.

• According to Dr. Evan Jeffries, a typical recovery time for a hamstring strain is between seven-to-10 days. So the multiple games Curry could miss align with the timeline.

• Stephen Curry was diagnosed with a “hamstring strain” This is worst case scenario in a playoff series
  
  Typical timeline of healing is
  
  Grade I: 7-10 days
  Grade II: 3-6 weeks pic.twitter.com/fSY4ElyyaM

• — Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) May 7, 2025 Golden State went 7-5 in the 12 games the star guard missed during the regular season in 2024-25. 

• MORE: Hamstring strain recovery timeline

• Steph Curry stats

  Before getting ruled out in Game 1, Curry had played 13 minutes. He finished with 13 points, one rebound and one assist. 

• Here are Curry's per-game stats from the 2024-2025 season.

• • 70 games
  • 32.2 minutes
  • 24.5 points
  • 4.4 rebounds
  • 6.0 assists
  • 1.1 steals
  • 44.8% FG%
  • 39.7% 3FG%
  • 93.3% FT%

  Warriors-Timberwolves schedule

  There is just one day off between Games 1 through 5, with a three-day break coming between a potential Game 5 and 6.

• Game	Date/Result	Time (ET)	Location
  1	Warriors 99, Timberwolves 88
  2	Thursday, May 8	8:30 p.m.	Minnesota
  3	Saturday, May 10	8:30 p.m.	Golden State
  4	Monday, May 12	10 p.m.	Golden State
  5*	Wednesday, May 14	TBD	Minnesota
  6*	Sunday, May 18	TBD	Golden State
  7*	Tuesday, May 20	8:30 p.m.	Minnesota

  *If necessary.

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