Warriors overcome Stephen Curry injury with lockdown defense in Game 1 win

Buddy Hield stepped up with 24 points and five three-pointers and the Warriors forced 16 turnovers in a road win over the Timberwolves. Minnesota lost home-court advantage even with Curry spending the last 32 minutes in the locker room.

Curry scored 13 points in 13 minutes, hitting two straight baskets just before straining his hamstring, then finding Draymond Green for a three-pointer before leaving the game, part of a 15-0 Warriors run to start the second quarter and take control of the game.

Green hit four of his first five three-pointers in the game, but he shone brightest on the defensive end. He grabbed eight rebounds, got two steals and delivered six assists, while helping the Warriors hold the Timberwolves to just 31 first-half points and a lot of missed shots inside. 

While Jimmy Butler didn't shoot well, he had a stellar all-around game, finishing with 20 points, eight assists and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota's three-point shooting hurt it badly in Game 1, as it shot just 5-for-29 from three-point range. Its starters made only a single triple, going 1-for-13 from behind the arc. 

Anthony Edwards had a very cold shooting start. While he finished 9-for-22 and collected 14 rebounds, his 0-for-8 first half left the Timberwolves in a huge hole.

The Warriors have now won playoff games without Butler and without Curry this postseason. The road will be tougher without the greatest shooter in NBA history, if he has to miss multiple games, but the team has proved they can win ugly when they have to.