Warriors Convinced Championship Was Possible if Stephen Curry Stayed Healthy

The Warriors remain convinced that a healthy Stephen Curry would have put them in serious championship contention.

Curry exited Game 1 of the second-round series against Minnesota with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. What followed was four straight losses, any single win of which might have paved the way for Curry’s return in a potential Game 6. It never came to pass.

Meanwhile, Jimmy Butler battled both illness in Games 4 and 5 and the lingering effects of a pelvic contusion suffered earlier in the playoffs. With Minnesota’s veteran duo hampered, the Timberwolves seized control of the series.

“Don’t even have to entertain the ‘what if,’” coach Steve Kerr said. “I know we had a legit shot. We could’ve gone all the way. Maybe not, but in the playoffs, health and timing are everything—who’s hot when it counts?”

Draymond Green, optimistic after Minnesota added Butler, still believes the Warriors have championship potential. “I haven’t wavered,” Green said. “We’ll tweak the roster however necessary to give ourselves the best shot.”

Minnesota now awaits the Thunder–Nuggets victor in the West semis (OKC up 3–2; Game 6 Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET).

Looking Ahead
Golden State’s midseason acquisition of Butler flipped their 25–26 start into a 23–8 finish, posting the NBA’s top defensive rating over those final 31 games. Butler is confident that a full training camp and season together will only enhance their title odds.

Roster Decisions
Free agency looms for several rotation players: restricted Jonathan Kuminga, Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, Gui Santos, and Quinten Post. Santos and Post, both on two-way deals, are likely to return. Payton II and Looney represent more complex decisions as the Warriors consider potential upgrades.

Kuminga, who broke into Kerr’s rotation only after Curry’s injury and impressed with his play, will undoubtedly draw leaguewide interest, leaving Golden State with key decisions on how to rebuild around their core.