Steph Curry Exits Warriors’ Playoff Game With Hamstring Strain: ‘This Could Be Crucial’

Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry exited the team’s playoff game Tuesday night with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first half with a hamstring strain and will not return.

“He’s older, maybe he’s starting to break down, he moves a lot for a 36-, 37-year-old,” Shaquille O’Neal said on TNT. “This could be crucial. If I’m Golden State, I definitely want to get this game for him, rest him Game 2, give him a couple more days [before]

Game 3.”

Curry had 13 points in 13 minutes in the first half when Golden State seized a 44-31 halftime lead.

“It’s time for Jimmy [Butler] to step up,” Shaq added. “Buddy Hield has to be the Buddy Hield he was in that Game 7 in Houston [when he went for 33 points]. You miss Steph, you miss a lot. You miss a guy that controls the floor, you miss a guy that hits a lot of wild, timely shots…so everybody’s going to have to play superb basketball to win.”

Game 2 is back in Minnesota Thursday night before the scene shifts to San Francisco for Game 3 on Saturday.

The Warriors were seeking to become the fourth road team to win the opening game in the conference semifinals after Indiana, New York and Denver all won their opening games on the road.

Curry is averaging 24.5 points and 6.0 assists on the season.