Terrible news for the Golden State Warriors! Stephen Curry will not be able to play in Game 5

Stephen Curry told Marc J. Spears of Andscape that he does not expect to play in the fifth game. The Golden State Warriors superstar confirmed that his left hamstring remains an issue. "Even though I wanted to be Superman, I couldn't," Curry said. With the Warriors trailing 3-1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, this news hits hard.

The injury occurred in the second quarter of the first game. Diagnosed as a Grade 1 strain, Curry has not played since then. He will be reevaluated on Wednesday, the same day as the fifth game in Minneapolis. But Curry's comments make one thing clear: he is unlikely to play. The Warriors now face an uphill battle. They must win three straight games to avoid elimination. And Stephen Curry's situation in the fifth game offers little hope of a miraculous comeback.

Draymond Green echoed Curry's thoughts. "We're not going to play Superman," he said. Green emphasized that Curry should only return if he is fully healthy. He added that the team must win regardless of Curry's condition. Green believes in the long game. "If he can, we know he will. But there's no pressure," Green said. The leaders of the Warriors seem united. They won't force their injured star to take action, even with elimination looming.

That stance, while admirable, complicates the Warriors' chances. Stephen Curry's absence in the fifth game looms over their strategy and morale. Without Curry, Golden State collapsed in the fourth game. A 17-0 run by Minnesota in the third quarter broke a tied game. The Timberwolves outscored the Warriors 39-17 in that period. The final score: 117-110.

Jimmy Butler played sick and struggled. He took only nine shots and finished with 14 points. Green admitted that Butler's off-night hurt the team. "Obviously, we need him shooting the ball," Green said. Coach Steve Kerr also pointed out Butler's lack of aggressiveness. "I didn't see many openings either," Kerr said. Without Curry's gravity, defenses can easily collapse. Kerr added, "With Steph out, we're not going to be able to do as much of that."

This is not the first time the Warriors have lost three consecutive playoff games. The last time was during the 2016 NBA Finals. Back then, they blew a 3-1 lead against the Cavaliers. Green missed the fifth game due to suspension, contributing to Cleveland's comeback. This year's series could mirror that collapse. Except this time, it's Stephen Curry's absence in the fifth game that could seal their fate. The Timberwolves have outscored Golden State by 35 points in the minutes Curry has missed.

The Impact of Curry's Absence

The numbers don't lie. The Warriors are 10 points better with Curry on the court. They are dramatically worse without him. Golden State continues to struggle offensively without Curry. Butler has not been consistent. Jonathan Kuminga is the team's third leading scorer, but he played little in the previous round. Buddy Hield provides spacing but only averages 12.9 points. Brandin Podziemski has disappointed, averaging less than 10.

The Warriors have lacked a steady scoring option in Curry's absence. They need Butler to take a big step forward in the fifth game. Stephen Curry's void in the fifth game cannot be filled with just role players. Curry is still rehabbing. Some speculate he could return for a potential sixth game. That game would be at home, and the schedule gives him three extra days of rest. If the Warriors can win in Minneapolis, they might buy time for Curry.

The Timberwolves know it. Their urgency to wrap up the series quickly is real. They want no part of a healed and hungry Curry. But for now, the reality is simple. Stephen Curry's return in the fifth game is nearly ruled out. And no one is coming to save Golden State. The Warriors face elimination on Wednesday without their leader. His absence marks a critical moment in their playoff journey. If they survive, Curry could come back. But if not, their season ends without their biggest star's fight.

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