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With superstar Stephen Curry still sidelined due to a hamstring injury suffered in Game 1, the Golden State Warriors dropped Game 3 of their first-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 112-106, on their home floor.
The loss hands the Timberwolves a 2-1 series lead and places immense pressure on Golden State heading into a pivotal Game 4.
Without their floor general and offensive centerpiece, the Warriors once again struggled to execute in the clutch. They entered the fourth quarter with a narrow lead, but a collapse in the final period-where they were outscored 33-24-proved to be the difference.
Jimmy Butler demands ability from teammates
In the absence of Curry, veteran forward Jimmy Butler has taken on the leadership mantle for Golden State. After Saturday's loss, Butler made it clear that the team's margin for error has vanished without their two-time MVP.
"It's always get a win. If we don't win, we damn sure don't have to worry about getting Steph back this year. We gotta put our big boy pants on and go out there and compete at a high level," Butler said.
Butler did his part in Game 3, logging a team-high 43 minutes and delivering a stat-stuffing performance with 33 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists on 12-of-26 shooting. However, his efforts weren't enough to counter the Timberwolves' strong finishing kick and Golden State's ing cast woes.
Outside of Butler, only two Warriors players managed to crack double digits in scoring. Jonathan Kuminga had an impressive night with 30 points, continuing his upward trajectory this postseason. Buddy Hield added 14, but no other Warrior stepped up in the absence of Curry's offensive gravity.
Making matters worse, Draymond Green battled foul trouble throughout the second half and fouled out early in the fourth quarter, weakening the team's interior presence and defensive intensity.
"Obviously, with Steph out there, he demands two to three bodies when he's out there on the floor. ... When he's not, there's no room for error. You can't make mistakes. You can't turn the ball over. You can't give back all of those things. And then you've got to take the right shots," Butler said.
Game 4 becomes a must-win for the Warriors, not only to even the series but also to buy time for Curry to potentially return.