After the Warriors pulled off a grinding, somewhat ugly 99-88 win in Game 1 of their Western Conference semifinal series against the Timberwolves on Tuesday night, star forward Jimmy Butler was asked for a few thoughts about the victory.

On the night, Butler had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, but his performance was typical of the level of offense in the game–he was 7-for-20 from the field, and just 2-for-8 from the 3-point line. The Warriors needed every point they could get, though, because they played all but 13 minutes of the game without Stephen Curry.

Curry went out in the second quarter with a left hamstring injury, a problem that is certain to weigh heavily on Golden State even after the win. It’s early, but Curry is likely to miss at least Game 2, and probably more, even if the injury is a mild one.

Butler was happy with the Game 1 win, but was really hopeful he’d see Curry again sooner rather than later.

Butler was told that Game 1s are often feeling-out games, and was asked what he learned from the win.

“That Steph is our best player and the game is much easier when we got him,” Butler said.

Indeed, the Warriors shot 39.1% from the field in Game 1, but did make 18 of their 42 3-point attempts. Their defense, aided by cold shooting from Minnesota, deserves credit, as Golden State’s D held Minnesota below 90 points for the first time since April 2024. The Wolves shot 39.5% from the field and were only 5-for-29 from 3-point line.

Buddy Hield had 24 points and Draymond Green had 18 as those two combined to go 9-for-18 from the 3-point line.