Warriors’ biggest challenge without Curry ahead of Game 3 vs Minnesota, explained by coach Steve Kerr

The Golden State Warriors and the Minnesota Timberwolves are locked at one game apiece in the Western Conference semifinals. Despite the even scoreline, Steve Kerr’s team now appears to be in serious trouble due to Stephen Curry’s injury, which is expected to sideline him for longer than initially anticipated. The head coach reflected on what that means for his team moving forward.

“It’s not as simple as Steph’s out, so we just replace him with one person,” Kerr said during a press conference shared by 95.7 The Game on X. “It’s more about figuring out who to put around him and who’s going to be playing in Game 3. What our rotation is going to look like.”

The Warriors coach emphasized how the team must adjust its structure in Curry’s absence, especially given that there’s no one on the roster with a similar profile. “We had found a formula over the last couple of months and obviously we were having lots of success. But without Steph, the formula completely goes out the window, and we’ve got to figure out the next formula,” Steve said.

“The domino effect of Steph being out led to Trayce (Jackson-Davis) playing tonight because we needed the scoring. We needed the finishing and you saw what he did out there,” Kerr added in reference to the 117–93 loss in Game 2. “Same with J.K. (Jonathan Kuminga).”

Stephen Curry missed Game 2 vs Minnesota

Kerr discusses Jimmy Butler’s importance

Without Stephen Curry on the court, the responsibility to lead the team on the floor has largely shifted to Jimmy Butler. The small forward had to take on a different role in Game 2 against Minnesota, handling more of the ball distribution and offensive decision-making.

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In that context, Butler posted 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists Thursday night at Target Center. When asked for his takeaway from that performance, Steve Kerr was direct: “I didn’t learn anything that I didn’t already know. You can always play through Jimmy. He’s a great isolation player, great passer.”

Charles Barkley slams the Warriors

Reflecting on the Warriors’ performance without Stephen Curry in Game 2 against Minnesota, Charles Barkley was highly critical of the supporting cast. “I tell you, Steph needs a raise… Their offense looked ridiculous,” Chuck said on Inside the NBA.

“There were probably 20 times where the shot clock got three to five seconds, and they were still out passing around the three-point line,” added the 1993 NBA MVP. “A point guard, let’s use the football analogy, a wide receiver can’t get the ball to himself… they were just running around going one on one.”