The Golden State Warriors return to the Chase Center for Game 3 of their Western Conference Semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with the series tied 1-1 and their postseason hopes hanging in the balance as they navigate unfamiliar territory without their franchise cornerstone, Stephen Curry. Golden State stole Game 1 in Minnesota with gritty defense and timely scoring from Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield, but faltered in Game 2 as their offensive limitations without Curry began to surface. Despite the loss, the Warriors’ defense has remained consistently strong, holding opponents to just 41.5% shooting over their last three games and forcing Minnesota into long stretches of inefficiency, especially from beyond the arc. Jonathan Kuminga has emerged as a dynamic contributor, injecting athleticism and defensive versatility that the team sorely needs with Curry sidelined, while Draymond Green’s leadership and ability to orchestrate the offense from the high post continues to be invaluable. Jimmy Butler has embraced the challenge of leading the team in Curry’s absence, taking on primary playmaking duties and defending Minnesota’s top wings, though the physical toll of doing both at a high level may begin to show as the series progresses. Buddy Hield’s sharpshooting will be pivotal in Game 3; when he gets hot, Golden State can hang offensively even without their MVP. Kevon Looney’s work on the boards and in screen-setting has also been critical to freeing up space in halfcourt sets, especially in a series where transition opportunities are few and far between.

Offensively, Golden State’s ball movement and floor spacing still show flashes of their vintage style, but it’s clear that Curry’s absence has forced a heavier reliance on isolation sets and mid-range jumpers. Head coach Steve Kerr has had to make creative adjustments to compensate for the lack of shot creation, including staggered lineups to balance offense and defense, and increased minutes for young bench players who bring energy but lack playoff seasoning. Back at home, the Warriors will lean on the energy of the Chase Center crowd to fuel their tempo and defensive intensity, hoping to create a more frenetic pace that disrupts Minnesota’s halfcourt execution. Golden State’s home-court advantage has long been one of the league’s most formidable, and they’ll need to harness it fully to out-execute a Timberwolves team that has the size, rebounding, and defensive chops to grind out low-scoring games. The key for the Warriors will be to generate enough three-point offense to spread Minnesota’s defense, which has excelled in closing off driving lanes and forcing contested twos. If Butler and Hield can shoulder the scoring load, Kuminga continues to impact both ends, and the defense maintains its discipline, the Warriors have a strong chance to reclaim the series lead. But with Curry still sidelined, there’s little margin for error—every possession, every defensive rotation, and every bench contribution will count. Game 3 will be a test of Golden State’s depth, resilience, and championship mettle in the face of adversity.