Stephen Curry Injury: How Does Absence Impact Warriors vs. Timberwolves?

The Warriors star won't play in Game 2, and an extended hiatus could ultimately decide this series.

Gabe Henderson

Last updated: May 7, 2025 5:52 PM EDT • 4 min read

Stephen Curry Injury: Will Warriors Star Play in Game 2 Against Timberwolves? — Pictured: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and guard Brandin Podziemski (2) talk during a timeout. Photo by Troy Taormina via Imagn Images.

The Golden State Warriors scored a huge win in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves - but it didn't come without a cost.

Stephen Curry played just 13 minutes before exiting early with a hamstring injury. Subsequent MRIs confirmed the team's pessimism, with Steve Kerr ruling his superstar out for Game 2. It's an unprecedented injury for the guard, but given he'll be reevaluated in one week, he's set to miss a majority of the series.

Curry is undoubtedly the most important player on Golden State's roster. As such, we turned to ChatGPT to see what the popular AI model has to say about how Curry's absence will impact the Warriors vs. Timberwolves series, which resumes Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET (TNT) from Target Center.

👉 For more expert (human) analysis, check out our Warriors vs. Timberwolves prediction.

🤕 Will Curry play in Game 2 on Thursday?

Curry will miss Thursday's Game 2 in Minnesota (8:30 p.m. ET, TNT) with a hamstring injury. The Warriors said he will be reevaluated in one week after suffering the first hamstring injury of his career to date in Game 1.

🏀 How does Curry injury impact Warriors vs. Timberwolves?

The following analysis was generated using ChatGPT, which relied on probabilistic modeling to analyze the impact of Curry's absence for this series.

Stephen Curry being out for Game 2 against the Timberwolves is a big blow for the Warriors. He’s their top scorer and the centerpiece of their offense, so without him, they lose a lot of firepower and leadership.

His absence puts pressure on others - like Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and Draymond Green - to carry the load, especially in tight moments when Curry usually steps up. Butler and Hield are expected to take on more offensive responsibilities. Butler's leadership and scoring ability will be crucial in filling the void left by Curry.

Green's versatility allows him to impact the game in multiple areas, including defense and playmaking. Kevon Looney's presence in the paint will be vital for rebounding and interior defense.

The team will likely have to adjust its strategy, rely more on defense, and hope its bench can contribute more than usual. It’s a test of depth and resilience, and it could swing momentum if they can’t find a way to win without him.

🤖 Game 2 score prediction with Curry out

🎯 Score prediction: Timberwolves 106, Warriors 93

⛹️‍♂️ How will the Warriors perform if Curry misses the series?

The following analysis was generated using ChatGPT, which relied on probabilistic modeling to analyze the impact of Curry's absence for this series.

The Warriors are likely to struggle in their series against the Timberwolves without Curry, especially over multiple games. Curry is the engine of their offense, and his absence puts a massive burden on others to step up not just in scoring, but also in leadership and playmaking.

The offense could stagnate, especially in half-court sets without Curry’s shooting gravity. Defenses won’t have to extend as far, which could make it tougher for slashers like Butler to find lanes. Further, Curry’s absence in crunch time is massive. The Warriors have often relied on him to close tight games.

If Curry misses the majority of the series (at least through Game 4), the Warriors will be underdogs.

The Timberwolves are deeper, healthier, and motivated. Golden State might steal another win, especially at home, but winning the series without Curry would require near-flawless execution and big performances from multiple players every night.

📉 Series prediction with Curry ruled out

🤖 AI prediction: Minnesota wins in 7 games

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Written By:
Gabe Henderson

Gabe Henderson is a sports betting writer from Houston, Texas. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2022 with a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication. Gabe developed an interest in sports betting while in college due to its legalization in Louisiana. He turned his passion into a career shortly after, joining The Advocate/NOLA.com as a Sports Betting Content Coordinator, where he spent two years. Gabe wore many hats before graduating as he led FanSided's coverage of Chelsea FC as a Site Expert with "The Pride of London." He was also the Editor-in-Chief of the LSU Gumbo Yearbook for two years. Gabe became a part of the SportsbookReview.com team in late 2024. He brings with him an extensive knowledge of many sports, including — but not limited to — NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA, soccer, and UFC.