Butler Shines, But Curry’s Absence Haunts Warriors as Timberwolves Take 2-1 Series Edge

After grabbing a 1-0 lead in the second round of the 2025 NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors were dealt a tough blow: star point guard Stephen Curry was ruled out for several games due to injury. Without their offensive engine, concerns immediately mounted about Golden State’s ability to sustain their playoff run.

Game 2 offered a grim answer. The Warriors, now led by Jimmy Butler, were overwhelmed in a 24-point blowout loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game 3 on Saturday night saw a more competitive effort, but Golden State still fell short, losing 102-97 and slipping to a 1-2 series deficit. Despite the absence of Curry, Butler fought valiantly to keep his team in the game, putting together a gritty 33-point performance along with seven rebounds and seven assists over a grueling 43 minutes of play.

According to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr later admitted he would have preferred to give Butler some rest. But with Curry out and the stakes so high, Kerr had little choice but to lean heavily on the veteran forward. “Jimmy wants to play all 48 minutes,” Kerr said, acknowledging the balancing act of protecting Butler while needing his leadership on the floor.

One bright spot for Golden State was the performance of Jonathan Kuminga. The young forward stepped up off the bench, contributing a playoff career-high 30 points and six rebounds in 36 minutes. However, the Warriors’ chances took another hit when Draymond Green fouled out with just under five minutes remaining.

Now trailing in the series, Golden State must regroup and find a way to even the score in Game 4, scheduled for Monday at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN. With Curry still sidelined and Butler carrying a heavy load, the pressure is on the rest of the Warriors’ roster to rise to the moment.