Golden State Warriors Break New Ground With Playoff Win Minus Curry
Warriors Find Their Stride Without Curry
Everybody in the arena expected the Minnesota Timberwolves to pounce. No Stephen Curry, no problem? That's exactly what the Golden State Warriors proved during Game 1 of their first-round playoff series, snatching a hard-fought 99-88 victory over Minnesota. This game entered the record books as the first time during Stephen Curry's entire tenure that the Warriors secured a playoff win without their iconic leader on the court.
The question on everyone's mind—how would Golden State cope with the absence of their biggest star? Enter Buddy Hield, who quickly set the tone for what was about to unfold. Without hesitation, he poured in 24 points and snatched 8 rebounds, carving up the Timberwolves defense with his shooting and hustle. Golden State needed someone to step up, and Hield made sure the spotlight wouldn't fade on this Warriors squad.
From the opening tip, Minnesota leaned on Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns to carry the load, but they ran into a defensive wall. Golden State's defense locked in, challenging nearly every shot and crowding the paint. Their strategy was clear: keep Minnesota uncomfortable, and force tough looks. The result? The Timberwolves managed to sink just 39% of their field goals, a number that left their scoring punch feeling more like a jab than a knockout.
A Battle in the Paint and On the Glass
Stat sheets don't always tell the full story, but this time, the rebounding margin spoke volumes. The Warriors, often considered an outside-shooting team, muscled their way to 54 rebounds—10 more than Minnesota. This gritty effort on the boards led directly to second-chance points, turning misses into opportunities and keeping the scoreboard ticking. Kevon Looney and Jonathan Kuminga were everywhere, snagging tipped balls and frustrating Timberwolves big men all night.
Jimmy Butler tried to inject life into the Minnesota lineup, racking up 21 points and refusing to let the Warriors pull away easily. But every run the Timberwolves mounted was met with a Golden State answer—an extra possession, a defensive stop, or a timely bucket from Hield or Klay Thompson. Even in the stretches where Minnesota closed the gap, the Warriors' discipline never wavered.
The Timberwolves just couldn't find a groove. Wide-open looks bounced off the rim, and fast breaks fizzled out under Golden State's relentless hustle back on defense. Anthony Edwards had flashes of brilliance, but the Warriors' defensive rotations made sure those flashes never caught fire.
This win goes beyond just a Game 1 statement. It’s a direct message to the entire league—the Warriors can make noise in the postseason even when their biggest superstar is watching from the bench. The Golden State Warriors now head into Game 2 in Minneapolis with momentum most thought would be impossible without Curry in uniform. The series is far from over, but the balance of power looks different than anyone imagined just a week ago.