The loss of Stephen Curry for a week with an injury leaves the Warriors looking to Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and a culture that built an NBA dynasty to lift them past the favored Minnesota Timberwolves in their second-round playoff series.

To its credit, it fought through the adversity behind a stout defensive showing and balanced offense with Buddy Hield (24 points and eight rebounds), Jimmy Butler (20 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals) and Draymond Green (18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals) leading the way.

Golden State Warriors teammates Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield already have something special developing in the months that they have played together.