The Golden State Warriors have announced that Stephen Curry will be sidelined for at least the next three games of their second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, following the confirmation of a mild strain of his left hamstring via MRI on May 7. The injury occurred on the night of May 6, during Game 1, forcing Curry to exit early in the second quarter.

In his brief appearance, he contributed 13 points in 13 minutes, aiding the Warriors to a 99-88 victory that secured them home-court advantage.

Warriors head coach Steve Kerr emphasized the importance of adaptability in the playoffs, stating, "Every year the playoffs are about adapting, whether it’s a game plan or an injury or a lineup, so we just have to adapt...

We’re confident we can do this again." The team's ability to adjust is critical, especially considering Curry's significant role as the all-time leading 3-point shooter in NBA history.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled to take place in Minneapolis on May 9, with Game 3 moving to San Francisco on May 11 and Game 4 on May 13. If Curry's recovery is as anticipated, his earliest possible return could be Game 5 on May 14, which is followed by three days off before Game 6 on May 18.

Throughout his career, Curry has not experienced a major hamstring injury, adding uncertainty to the projected timeline for his return and the Warriors' prospects without him.

During the 2016 and 2018 playoff runs, Curry faced injuries but the team managed a collective 9-3 record without him, ultimately reaching the NBA Finals both years.

In 2016, the Warriors fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games, while in 2018 they swept the Cavaliers to secure the championship.

Currently, the composition of the Golden State roster differs from those championship years.

The absence of younger contributors like Draymond Green, along with the decline in contributions from other key players such as Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala, presents challenges, especially compared to the 2018 roster that included star Kevin Durant.

In Game 1, the team showcased a collective effort with significant contributions from Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and Green, as Kerr utilized a deep rotation of 12 players.

With Curry's absence, Butler is expected to be the focal point of the offense.

Acquired in a trade from Miami three months ago, Butler recorded 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in the first game of the series.

In the first round against Houston, he scored 20 or more points in four of five games.

Timberwolves guard Mike Conley acknowledged the need for heightened focus on defensive assignments, stating that with Curry out, the Warriors would be more dynamic in their playmaking, emphasizing the collective scoring potential of the team without their star guard.