With Steph Curry, it would be hard for the Warriors to surpass the Timberwolves, but they remained positive after being eliminated in five games.
Head coach Steve Kerr was asked if he would look back on the playoffs and wondered how far his team would go if Curry hadn’t had a hamstring injury in Game 1.
“I don’t even have to think about anything [if],” Kerr said. “I know we had a shot. I know the distance we could have walked.
“Maybe we didn't, but that's OK. Once again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot. Are you doing well at the right time?”
Curry wasn't the only wounded soldier. Jimmy Butler suffered illness after the first round of fall and bruised bone bruises.
He was even a miracle on the court.
Kerr explains Butler is dealing with the pain of falling, and Minnesota's suffocating defense.
“I think he's definitely compromised in all the series,” Kerr said. “I think the injury in Houston will definitely affect him. He's been in pain. I think the biggest thing about this series is that Minnesota is doing well without the spacing Stephen gives us, just hitting us one-on-one. They're guarding us around. They're trying to take us away for 3 seconds. It's a long time member.
“They just decided not to leave our perimeter people, even our non-shots, on the perimeter,” he added. “They were just around with them and had Jimmy play one-on-one. Because of their long athleticism, it wasn't easy for him to get anything on the rim.
“Once Stephen goes out, it changes everything about our entire team, but especially Jimmy.”
When the Warriors won Butler, Draymond Green boldly announced that the team would win the championship, and he did not get rid of his beliefs.
“I think I still have that belief,” Green said Wednesday night. “That didn't change at all. And, you made the modifications and you're going to take the next step to give yourself a better chance.”
Butler said that when everyone is healthy, he can certainly see the Warriors’ potential as a true contender.
“Of course,” he said. “I think we all know, we all believe.”
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