Warriors steal Game 1 in Minnesota as Butler leads charge following Steph Curry injury
In the high-stakes atmosphere of the NBA playoffs, momentum can shift in a heartbeat. That heartbeat came in the second quarter of Game 1 between the Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves, when Steph Curry walked gingerly to the locker room with a hamstring injury. But what followed wasn’t a collapse—it was a coming-out party for Jimmy Butler in a Warriors jersey.
Butler, the Warriors’ major mid-season addition, was at the center of everything as Golden State stole Game 1 on the road, 99–88, in Minneapolis. And with Curry’s status uncertain, it was Butler’s poise, leadership, and all-around game that gave the Warriors belief heading into the rest of the series.
“I’ve said it before,” Butler told reporters after the game, “any team with me on it has a chance.”
No Curry, No Panic
The sight of Curry leaving the floor in visible discomfort would have struck fear into most teams. After all, this is a two-time MVP, the greatest shooter in basketball history, and the emotional heartbeat of the Warriors. But Golden State didn’t flinch.
Instead, they adapted. They regrouped. And they handed the keys to Jimmy Butler, who finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists in 41 minutes—just two assists shy of a triple-double.
“We all want [No.] 30 back, that’s for sure,” Butler said, referring to Curry. “But we want him to do what’s best for himself and what’s best for our group in the long run.”
There’s no timetable yet for Curry’s return. He’s set to undergo an MRI on Wednesday to determine the severity of the strain, and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr confirmed that the team expects him to miss at least Game 2. That puts a huge burden on Butler—but it’s a challenge he seems more than ready to embrace.
“If I Have To, I Will”
Butler’s reputation around the league is built on effort, resilience, and confidence. And in this new chapter of his career in the Bay Area, he hasn’t changed a bit.
“If I have to [carry the offense], I will,” Butler said. “I’m not a volume shooter—never have been, probably never will be—but I’m gonna play the right way.”
What does “the right way” mean for Butler? It means creating for teammates. It means making the extra pass. It means trusting the people around him, even in the face of playoff pressure. And yes, it also means holding everyone accountable.
“If my guy is open, I’m gonna pass it. I’m gonna yell, ‘Shoot it!’” Butler said with a smile. “And if they don’t shoot it, I’m probably gonna yell at them for not shooting the ball.”
It’s the kind of leadership that’s earned Butler respect in every locker room he’s been in. Now, in Golden State, he’s quickly built chemistry with his new teammates—and he knows that chemistry will be crucial if Curry is sidelined.
Locker Room Unity
Playoff basketball is about more than just talent—it’s about trust. And from the way Butler talks about his teammates, it’s clear there’s a bond that goes beyond the court.
“We really do enjoy being around each other,” Butler said. “We enjoy it when someone else is playing great. When everybody else is shining, everybody’s happy. That’s not always the case on every team, but here, it’s real. And it matters.”
The Warriors have leaned on that collective mentality before—especially during their multiple championship runs. But this time, with a different roster and a new face like Butler leading the charge, there’s a sense of fresh energy and belief.
“They don’t shy away from any moment, from any matchup,” Butler said of his teammates. “They’ll do whatever you ask them to do to make sure that we have a chance of winning.”
Respect for Curry—and Readiness Without Him
Still, Butler knows that having Curry out there changes the game in ways no one else can replicate. And he didn’t hide his admiration.
“It’s tough. One of the greatest to ever do it, and he wants to be out there,” Butler said. “He knows—and we all know—how much easier the game is for us when he’s playing at a high level.”
But that doesn’t mean the Warriors are folding without him. In fact, Butler emphasized that the team is ready for whatever comes next.
“We’re prepared to compete and win without him,” Butler said. “We don’t want to—but we are prepared, and we may have to.”
Game 2 is looming, set for Thursday night in Minneapolis. Curry’s status remains the major question mark, but the Warriors, behind their new emotional leader, are ready to fight.
A New Playoff Identity?
The idea of the Warriors without Steph Curry is almost unthinkable. But Jimmy Butler isn’t looking to replace him—he’s looking to rally the team in his absence.
In many ways, Butler has always thrived as the underdog, the workhorse, the player who does whatever it takes when the spotlight shines the brightest. His Game 1 performance showed that, even on a team built around Curry’s brilliance, there’s room for another star to shine.
“It’s about being efficient. It’s about playing hard. And it’s about doing it together,” Butler said. “We’re ready for it.”
As the Warriors brace for a potential Curry-less Game 2, the blueprint is clear: lean on Jimmy, play together, and trust in the culture that’s defined Golden State for over a decade.
Because as Butler said with a calm confidence that only he can pull off:
“Any team with me has a chance.”
