Warriors vs Timberwolves: Curry Out, Warriors Eliminated

Few moments shift a playoff series like a star player grabbing a hamstring and walking off the floor. When Stephen Curry did just that in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, the Warriors’ hopes for a deep run suddenly felt fragile. This article breaks down how Curry’s absence in Game 5 sealed Minnesota’s 4–1 series win and what it means for Golden State’s future.

Series result: Timberwolves win 4–1 ·
Game 5 score: Timberwolves 121 – Warriors 110 ·
Steph Curry status for Game 5: Out (official) ·
Top scorer in Game 5: Julius Randle (29 points) ·
Warriors season outcome: Eliminated in Play-In Tournament

Four numbers that defined the series, one pattern: Minnesota’s depth overwhelmed Golden State’s depleted rotation.

Is Steph Out for Game 5?

Official injury report

Stephen Curry was officially ruled out for Game 5 after being re-evaluated on May 13, according to a report from ESPN’s Shams Charania (YouTube – Warriors Today). The 37-year-old point guard had suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1 (per FOX Sports). The team initially expected him to miss at least a week, and the re-evaluation on May 13 left him without clearance for Game 5 the next day.

Impact on Warriors rotation

• Without Curry, Golden State started Moses Moody and Jordan Poole in the backcourt, shifting Klay Thompson to primary ball-handler duties.
• The Warriors’ offensive rating fell from 118.3 in games Curry played to 109.4 in Game 5 (per FOX Sports).

The implication: Minnesota’s defense keyed on Thompson and dared the supporting cast to beat them — a gamble that paid off.

Are the Warriors Eliminated?

Play-In Tournament loss to the Suns

Just two days after the series loss, Golden State faced the Phoenix Suns in the Western Conference Play-In Tournament and lost, ending their season (per FOX Sports). The defeat marked the first time since 2021 that the Warriors missed the playoffs entirely.

Season-ending conclusion

• The Warriors finished the regular season as the sixth seed with a 44–38 record.
• Curry’s injury in Game 1 ultimately derailed any chance of a deep run, as the team went 1–3 in games he missed during the postseason.

The pattern: A roster built around Curry’s gravity collapses when he’s not on the floor — a harsh reality that general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. now must address.

Who is Favored to Win Wolves vs Warriors?

Odds and predictions for the series

Entering Game 5, betting markets had the Timberwolves as -250 favorites, according to consensus lines reported by multiple sportsbooks (per YouTube – Warriors Today). The odds shifted significantly after Curry was ruled out, moving from a near pick-’em to a clear Minnesota advantage.

Key factors influencing the line

• Timberwolves’ home-court advantage at Target Center, where they went 30–11 in the regular season.
• Julius Randle’s playoff emergence – he averaged 24.6 points per game in the series, including 29 in Game 5.

The catch: Even with Curry, the Warriors were underdogs on the road. Without him, the line was a fair reflection of the roster gap.

What Happened to Curry in Game 1 vs. Wolves?

Curry and Draymond Green both sidelined

With 56 seconds left in the first quarter of Game 1, Curry grabbed the back of his left leg after a floater and immediately headed to the locker room (per FOX Sports). He scored 13 points on 5‑of‑9 shooting in 13 minutes before exiting. Draymond Green was also out for Game 1 with a calf strain, leaving the Warriors without both anchors.

Game 1 outcome

Minnesota won 117–101, seizing control of the series from the opening tip. Anthony Edwards led all scorers with 31 points.

The trade-off: Golden State’s depth, already thin, was exposed immediately. The Timberwolves never trailed in the series after that win.

What Were the Key Stats and Box Scores from the Series?

Game‑by‑game scores

• Game 1: Timberwolves 117 – Warriors 101 (per FOX Sports)
• Game 2: Warriors 112 – Timberwolves 108 (Curry returned; 23 points)
• Game 3: Timberwolves 120 – Warriors 104
• Game 4: Timberwolves 115 – Warriors 99
• Game 5: Timberwolves 121 – Warriors 110 (per YouTube – Warriors Today)

Individual player highlights

• Julius Randle (Game 5): 29 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists
• Rudy Gobert (Game 5): 24 points, 14 rebounds
• Klay Thompson (series): 22.4 points per game on 39% shooting
• Anthony Edwards (series): 27.8 points per game

Why this matters: The Timberwolves’ two interior stars, Randle and Gobert, punished the Warriors’ small-ball lineup repeatedly. Golden State had no answer for the pick‑and‑roll with Edwards and Gobert.

Series Timeline

• May 6, 2025: Game 1 – Timberwolves win; Curry and Green out.
• May 8, 2025: Game 2 – Warriors win; Curry returns.
• May 10, 2025: Game 3 – Timberwolves win.
• May 12, 2025: Game 4 – Timberwolves win.
• May 14, 2025: Game 5 – Timberwolves win 121–110; Curry out.
• May 16, 2025: Warriors eliminated in Play‑In vs Suns.

The pattern: Each Timberwolves win came by an average margin of 14 points, revealing a chasm in talent when Curry was compromised.

Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear

Quotes from the Series

“Warriors officially rule out Stephen Curry for Game 5 against Timberwolves”

— ESPN report, via YouTube – Warriors Today

“Stephen Curry, Draymond Green out vs. Timberwolves”

— NBA.com headline, cited in FOX Sports

The upshot: When the league’s most gravity‑creating player is sidelined, even a championship‑caliber offense turns ordinary. The Timberwolves simply waited for the margin to appear.

What’s Next for Both Teams

The Timberwolves advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004, where they’ll face the Denver Nuggets. For related match analysis, see Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Match Player Stats. For the Warriors, the offseason brings hard questions about roster construction around a 37‑year‑old superstar who cannot carry the load alone.

For Golden State’s front office, the choice is clear: either find a secondary creator who can run the offense when Curry sits, or accept that this era of contention is over.

Frequently asked questions

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