Golden State Warriors: Jimmy Butler Throws Subtle Shot to Former Team After Game 4 Victory Vs. Houston Rockets 19 Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) celebrates towards guard Stephen Curry (30) after a basket against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr Blames Grueling 2025 Playoffs Schedule for Stephen Curry’s Injury, Per Insider

Originally posted on Hardwood Heroics | By Jordan Samar | Last updated May 28, 2025 9:28 AM ET

The Golden State Warriors were eliminated in five games by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round, and many argue that the Western Conference Semifinals series might have been closer if Stephen Curry was 100 percent fit.

One of them is head coach Steve Kerr, who reportedly blamed the tight playoff schedule for Curry’s hamstring injury.

“It’s of Kerr’s belief that the schedule was a significant factor to blame. It was Curry’s third playoff game in five days, with travel in between all three games. With the season on the brink, Kerr leaned on the two-time MVP for 42 minutes in Game 6 in San Francisco and a game-high 46 minutes in Game 7 in Houston. And then they traveled again, jetting up to Minnesota,” Tom Haberstroh of Yahoo Sports wrote.

Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr's 8-Word Reaction Sums Up Their Horrific Performance in Game 5 Vs. Houston Rockets 2 Apr 28, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first quarter of game four of the 2025 NBA Playoffs first round at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

“Kerr hopes the league takes action and either spaces out the existing schedule by adding a week to the season calendar or cutting regular season games. But in his discussions with the league both publicly and privately, he hasn’t gotten very far,” he added.

Golden State Warriors urged to trade for $186 million star

The Golden State Warriors must upgrade their center position to contend in the Western Conference, and Bleacher Report’s Greg Swartz has an interesting proposal of trading for Sacramento Kings star Domantas Sabonis.

Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr Blames Grueling 2025 Playoffs Schedule for Stephen Curry's Injury, Per Insider 6 Feb 21, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) passes the ball against Sacramento Kings forward Domantas Sabonis (11) during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

“Sabonis would be the perfect third star for the Golden State Warriors, even if it meant trading Draymond Green in order to get him,” Swartz wrote in his column.

“The 29-year-old has led the NBA in rebounding for three years in a row, is the league’s second-best passing big man after Nikola Jokić and shot 41.7 percent from three this season. Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler and Sabonis would give head coach Steve Kerr a ton of offensive options,” he added.