The Golden State Warriors won Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, 99-88, over the Minnesota Timberwolves despite losing Steph Curry in the first half with a left hamstring strain.
Curry asked out early in the second quarter after appearing to favor his left leg and went straight to the locker room during a timeout. General manager Mike Dunleavy checked on him and the team quickly ruled him finished for the night. Curry and the Warriors were in control when he went down, up 30-20 after the third of Draymond Green’s four first half 3s. They maintained a great defensive effort and a double-digit lead for most of the game.
The Timberwolves struggled mightily on offense. They shot just 39.5 percent from the field and started 0-for-16 from 3-point range before finishing 5-for-29. Anthony Edwards came alive for 22 second-half points after just one in the first half, but it was too little, too late for Minnesota.
Buddy Hield turned in another phenomenal performance for Golden State on both ends of the court, scoring 24 points and recording a +22 (both game highs) in 39 minutes. Jimmy Butler had 20 points while Green had 18 for the Warriors.
