Context:

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is expected to miss at least the next three games of their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a mild strain of his left hamstring. The injury occurred during Game 1, where Curry contributed 13 points in only 13 minutes, helping the Warriors secure a victory and take the home-court advantage. Game 2 is set to take place in Minneapolis, followed by Games 3 and 4 in San Francisco, with Curry's earliest potential return being Game 5. Historical context highlights that the Warriors have previously navigated playoff challenges without Curry, notably in 2016 and 2018, with varied outcomes. Despite the absence of past key players and the current roster's differences, the team is optimistic following their Game 1 win, which saw significant contributions from players like Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield.

Dive Deeper:

• Stephen Curry will be unavailable for at least a week after an MRI confirmed a mild strain of his left hamstring, significantly impacting the Warriors' strategy against the Minnesota Timberwolves in their playoff series.

• Curry's injury occurred during the second quarter of Game 1, where he had already scored 13 points in 13 minutes, aiding the Warriors in achieving a 99-88 victory and securing home-court advantage.

• The upcoming games in the series are set in Minneapolis and San Francisco, with Game 2 on Thursday, Game 3 on Saturday, and Game 4 on Monday, placing Curry's earliest possible return at Game 5 on May 14.

• In past playoff runs, the Warriors have managed without Curry, such as in 2016 and 2018, with the latter resulting in a championship despite his absence in some games.

• The current Warriors roster differs significantly from those championship teams, lacking former key players like Kevin Durant, with Curry and Draymond Green now older.

• Despite these challenges, the team remains optimistic after their Game 1 performance, where coach Steve Kerr utilized 12 players, with notable contributions from Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and Draymond Green.

• The Warriors' ability to adapt and compete without Curry will be crucial in maintaining their momentum in the series and advancing further in the playoffs.