On Saturday, the Warriors found themselves on the unfavorable end of history when playing against the Timberwolves.

For the first time since Steve Kerr took over as head coach in 2015, Golden State failed to hit a 3-pointer in the first half. The Warriors went 0-5 from beyond the arc in the first half of Game 3 against the Timberwolves.

Without Stephen Curry, who sustained a hamstring injury during Game 1 of the playoffs, the Warriors have adopted a stronger focus on defense in their second consecutive game missing him. In the first two quarters of Game 3, Golden State recorded one of their lowest scores per half this season, heading into halftime with a narrow lead at 42-40.

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The Warriors are counting on Jimmy Butler and their supporting cast to generate additional scoring with Curry sidelined. If the two-time MVP misses the remainder of the series, Golden State must improve their long-range shooting to stand a chance at reaching the Western Conference finals.

Here’s what to know about the Warriors sluggish start in Game 3.


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Warriors falter with their long-range shooting in the first half of Game 3

The Warriors went 0-5 from beyond the arc in the first half of Game 3. It was the first time they did not make a three in the first half since Steve Kerr took over as the head coach in 2015.

In Stephen Curry’s absence, The Warriors seem to have adopted a markedly different playing style. This season, Golden State has been sinking an average of 15 three-pointers per game, yet during the first half on Saturday, they managed just five attempts from beyond the arc. When Butler became central to their offensive strategy, the team focused more on driving towards the hoop and drawing fouls, evident in how they played in Game 3.

The Golden State team is increasingly focusing on their defense, a priority established after obtaining Butler back in February. Following the trade deadline, the Warriors have secured the top spot for defensive ratings across the NBA.

Stephen Curry injury update

The Golden State team might need to adapt to playing without their 11-time All-Star player. Curry has never experienced a hamstring injury previously, hence there are no historical indications of his recovery process.

“This is new, and from all that I’m learning about how quickly you can get back, there has to be a healing process,” he

told reporters

Thursday. “You shouldn’t speed it up beyond what it indicates. Thus, it will involve reassessing daily for about a week to determine when it might be safe to merely consider playing, not to mention figuring out how much intensity you can handle.”

According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the soonest we might witness Curry back in action for this series would be Game 6, assuming everything progresses ideally.