Context:

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the Western Conference Semifinal round against the Minnesota Timberwolves, leaving the game in the first half. The injury is significant as it is the first muscle strain of his career, and his return is uncertain, though he is expected to miss at least a week and will be out for Game 2. In Curry's absence, Gary Payton II assumed more responsibility, although Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green were pivotal in securing a 99-86 victory despite Curry's limited playtime. The injury could have major implications for the Warriors' playoff run, given Curry's central role in the team's success. The Warriors are closely monitoring Curry's rehabilitation to determine when he can return to the lineup, with his recovery timeline still undetermined.

Dive Deeper:

• Stephen Curry suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain during the Western Conference Semifinal against the Minnesota Timberwolves, which forced him to leave the game in the first half and miss subsequent games, beginning with Game 2.

• This injury marks the first muscle strain of Curry's career, creating uncertainty around his recovery timeline and raising concerns about the impact on the Warriors' playoff performance.

• With Curry sidelined, Gary Payton II took on a greater role, but it was Buddy Hield, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green who led the team to a 99-86 victory, showcasing their ability to adapt to Curry's absence.

• Stephen Curry is expected to miss at least one week due to the injury, but the exact timeline for his return is contingent on how well he responds to rehabilitation.

• The Warriors are carefully managing Curry's injury, understanding the potential season-changing implications if their star player remains out for an extended period, particularly during the critical playoff stage.

• The Golden State Warriors began the Western Conference Semifinal round with a win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. However, the injury to Stephen Curry is a huge one for Golden State. 

• The Warriors' best player left the game in the first half and did not return due to a hamstring injury. After the game, Steve Kerr already revealed the plan was for Curry to miss Game 2, so it was already a concerning outlook for the star sharpshooter. 

• On Wednesday, Curry got an MRI, and his results have now come through, per a report from Shams Charania of ESPN. 

• "Golden State's Stephen Curry has sustained a Grade 1 left hamstring strain and will be ruled out for Game 2 against Minnesota on Thursday, sources tell ESPN. It's the first strained muscle of Curry's career, so exact return timetable is unclear due to first rehab like this. The Warriors expect Stephen Curry to miss at least one week with the Grade 1 left hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN. An exact return will be based on how their All-NBA guard responds to rehab with his first muscle strain."

• The Warriors expect Stephen Curry to miss at least one week with the Grade 1 left hamstring strain, sources tell ESPN. An exact return will be based on how their All-NBA guard responds to rehab with his first muscle strain. https://t.co/PWhFWz2sEQ

• — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) May 7, 2025 That means the Warriors will be without Curry for least one game in what could be a season-changing blow. In Curry's absence, Gary Payton II saw the bulk of the load, playing 25 minutes but scoring just eight points with five rebounds and four assists. 

• Buddy Hield led the way with 24 points, Jimmy Butler added 20, and Draymond Green scored 18 points as Golden State managed the 99-86 win on Tuesday despite just 12 minutes from Curry. 

• For now, Curry is definitely out for Game 2, but as Charania reported, the "exact return timeline is unclear." 

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