The Golden State Warriors entered the 2025 NBA Playoffs riding a wave of optimism. After acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline and finishing the regular season on an impressive 23-8 run, expectations were high. The team was rounding into form at just the right time and looked poised for another deep postseason push.
However, the Warriors‘ postseason dreams unraveled quickly. Their second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves took a dramatic turn in Game 1 when star guard Steph Curry went down with a hamstring injury.
Without the two-time MVP, Golden State struggled to find consistency and eventually fell 121-110 in Game 5, ending their playoff run.
Despite the decisive Game 5 loss, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made it clear that a different game had already shifted the series beyond their favor. Speaking to the media after the season-ending defeat, Kerr identified the team’s inability to close out Game 3 as the moment momentum slipped away.
“That was the one we needed to get,” Kerr said.
Butler and Jonathan Kuminga combined for 63 points, offering the kind of performance needed to compensate for Curry‘s absence. But even with a promising lead late, the Warriors faltered and let the Timberwolves take the game-and a 2-1 series lead.
The turning point
The Timberwolves capitalized on the momentum from that comeback win, riding a wave of confidence through Games 4 and 5. The Warriors, on the other hand, never seemed to recover from the missed opportunity, both emotionally and strategically.
Butler, acquired to bring veteran toughness and playoff poise, expressed similar sentiments after Wednesday’s elimination. He acknowledged the “what if” surrounding Curry‘s absence but also emphasized the fight the Warriors gave, even in difficult circumstances.
“If we’re healthy, if all this and if all that, then it might be different,” Butler told reporters. “We don’t know. But we’re going to take our chances, for sure, if Steph is out there. We’ll come back, figure this thing out next year, do the same thing.”
Curry’s injury undoubtedly changed the complexion of the series. Known for his late-game heroics and ability to stretch defenses, his absence placed an increased burden on Butler, Kuminga, and other role players to carry the load. Though they performed admirably at times, the void left by Curry‘s absence was too much to overcome against a surging Timberwolves team.
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