• Warriors win Game 1 against Timberwolves 99-88 despite losing Stephen Curry to injury.
• Buddy Hield scores 24 points, leading the Warriors' offensive effort.
• Curry exits the game in the second quarter with a hamstring strain; status remains day-to-day.
• Warriors maintain strong defensive performance, restricting Minnesota's shooting.
• Game 2 scheduled for Thursday in Minneapolis.

The Golden State Warriors secured a 99-88 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series, despite losing star player Stephen Curry due to a left hamstring strain. Key contributions came from Buddy Hield, who scored 24 points, and Jimmy Butler, who posted a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds. Draymond Green added 18 points, showcasing the Warriors' depth amid Curry's absence, according to SFGate, Al Jazeera, and Reuters.

Curry left the game early in the second quarter after sustaining the injury while attempting a layup. He had scored 13 points in just 13 minutes of play before exiting. Warriors coach Steve Kerr indicated that Curry's status would be assessed with an MRI, stating, "We're definitely game-planning for him to not be available on Thursday," suggesting uncertainty about his participation in Game 2, according to SFGate and Reuters.

The Timberwolves struggled offensively, shooting poorly from beyond the arc, hitting only 5 out of 29 attempts. After falling behind by as many as 23 points, Minnesota made a push in the fourth quarter, narrowing the gap to single digits. However, Hield's timely 3-pointer halted their momentum, allowing the Warriors to regain control and close out the game effectively, as noted by SFGate and Al Jazeera.

The Warriors' disciplined defensive strategy proved pivotal against a Timberwolves squad that had appeared rusty following a five-day break. Anthony Edwards, despite a rough start, finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, while Naz Reid contributed 19 points. Timberwolves coach Chris Finch expressed disappointment regarding the team's performance, highlighting their inability to find rhythm, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.