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Kendrick Perkins Makes Bold Warriors Claim After Steph Curry Injury

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gautam Varier | Last updated May 8, 2025 12:13 PM ET

The Golden State Warriors snatched home-court advantage in the Western Conference Semifinals with a 99-88 win in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. That victory came at a cost, though, as Stephen Curry left the game with an injury in the second quarter.

Curry had gotten off to a hot start with 13 points in just under 13 minutes when he was forced to head to the locker room. You'd have expected the Warriors to struggle following his departure, but they pulled away from the Timberwolves and eventually came away with the win to take a 1-0 lead.

The Warriors announced during the game that Curry had suffered a hamstring strain, and that wasn't good news. Even a grade 1 strain generally keeps a player on the sidelines for at least a week.

That was confirmed by the Warriors on Wednesday as well, as an MRI revealed Curry had suffered a grade 1 strain and would be re-evaluated in a week. That means the 11-time All-Star will miss Games 2, 3 and 4, and that's a huge blow to the Warriors.

Despite getting that grim update, Kendrick Perkins isn't ruling out the Warriors' chances of winning this series. Perkins was asked on "Get Up" if the Warriors could beat the Timberwolves if Curry isn't back until Game 6 in the series, and he thinks they can.

"Absolutely, because they have 'Playoff Jimmy,'" Perkins said on Get Up.

.@KendrickPerkins believes the Warriors can "absolutely" win this series vs. the Timberwolves, even after Steph Curry's injury.

"Absolutely, because they have Playoff Jimmy." pic.twitter.com/0ntvylHqLH
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) May 8, 2025

Perkins loved how Jimmy Butler played in Game 1. Butler put up 20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals against the Timberwolves. His ability to deliver in the playoffs, combined with the Warriors' excellence on defense, leads Perkins to believe they still have a chance.

Game 2 will be played at the Target Center on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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