Warriors vs Timberwolves G2 Preview: Curry Injury Butler Becomes the Tactical Core Huazi strives to equalize the score

At 8:30 a.m. Beijing time on May 9, in the Western Conference semifinals, the Timberwolves played the Warriors again at home, starting the second game of the series. Curry is confirmed to be sidelined due to injury, Butler has become the team's tactical core, can Edwards lead the team to a comeback?

In the second quarter of the first game of the series, Curry suffered a left hamstring strain. Before the injury, he scored 13 points in 13 minutes. According to the Warriors' official injury report, this injury will miss him for at least a week, which means that Curry will not only be unable to play in G2, but will likely continue to miss G3 and G4.

Since Curry was drafted by the Warriors in 2009, the team has an 8-3 playoff record without him, compared to 104-51 without him. It's worth mentioning that Curry hasn't missed a playoff game since the opening game of the Western Conference semifinals against the Pelicans in 2018.

"Every year in the playoffs you have to adapt — whether it's game planning, dealing with injuries, adjusting the roster, so we have to make adjustments," Warriors coach Kerr said, "We've been in similar situations before, and we're confident we'll be able to handle it again." ”

Part of the reason Cole is so confident is that Butler is there. In February, Butler joined the Warriors through a trade with the Heat. In the first game against the Timberwolves, Butler almost scored a triple-double, contributing 20 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists. In the second game, he will take on a more important role.

"We've relied heavily on Butler over the past few months whenever Curry wasn't on the floor, and it's the same now." "We build around Butler to organize the offense, but we can't just rely on him to create every shot, we have to execute the game efficiently on the offensive end," Kerr said. ”

Ahead of the trip to San Francisco for Game 3 and Game 4, the Timberwolves will be eager to tie the series first in G2. The Timberwolves were given five days to recuperate before the series opener, but G1 didn't look good when they came on. They will be looking to be sharper on the offensive end of the pitch in G2.

Timberwolves star Edwards said he and his teammates couldn't dwell too much on a disappointing opener. In the first half, he scored just one point, and the Timberwolves trailed by as many as 23 points at one point before narrowing the gap to single digits.

"I feel like every one of us, including myself, has to improve on our individual performance." "Then we'll see how the game goes." ”

In addition to Edwards, who shot 9-of-22 and just 1 three-pointer, the Timberwolves are expecting better shooting from DiVincenzo (3-of-11) and Conley (0-of-5) in G2. Randle also said he has the motivation to play better in the game. He scored 18 points in the opening game against the Warriors, but grabbed only three rebounds.

"I shouldn't have grabbed just three rebounds." "All of us have to play better," Randall said. As an individual, I have to improve my performance. Playing 30 minutes and only grabbing three rebounds, that's not going to work, I have to play better. ”

For the Warriors, Curry's absence could mean shooters Hield and Podzemski will get more shots. Hield scored a team-high 24 points in the opening game of the series, while Podemski struggled to make just 1-of-7 shooting and 1-of-5 from three-point range, and he will try to find his groove in this game.

Kerr said players will be more motivated to play better when Curry is out. "I don't need to make a 'fight for Stephen' or something like that." "Everybody knows they want to fight for him. Needless to say. ”

List of injuries and illnesses

Warriors: Curry is out

Timberwolves: Dillingham is out

ESPN Predicted Win Rate:Warriors 43.5%, Timberwolves 56.5%