The Golden State Warriors have announced that Stephen Curry, their star point guard, will be out of the courts for at least a week due to a mild strain in his left hamstring.
The injury occurred during the first game of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Curry, who had scored 13 points in 13 minutes, had to leave the game in the second quarter due to muscle discomfort.
Despite Curry’s absence, Golden State achieved a 99-88 victory, taking away home-court advantage from the Timberwolves.
An MRI confirmed the injury and determined a minimum recovery period of one week.
This means Curry will miss the next three games of the series: the second in Minneapolis, and the third and fourth in San Francisco.
At best, Curry could return for Game 5, scheduled for May 14.
Although the Warriors have proven capable of competing without Curry in the past, the current situation is different.
The historical core of the team, formed by Curry, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson, has aged, and the complementary figures are not the same as before.
In the absence of Curry, the Californian team relies on the collective performance demonstrated in the first game, with Jimmy Butler, Buddy Hield, and Draymond Green leading the effort.
Coach Steve Kerr used a wide rotation, employing 12 players, which will be key to maintaining the pace against a demanding opponent like Minnesota.
Golden State will look to extend its lead this Thursday, hoping to get its star back for the final stretch of the series.
