The Golden State Warriors are currently hanging by quite a thin thread to stay alive in the playoffs. Their savior, Stephen Curry, has been out of the lines since Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals series against the Timberwolves where he suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain that “is new” for the guard. So with Curry out, the Warriors’ one mission until he is cleared to return was– survive. But with their second loss to Minnesota in a very winnable game, they now trail in a 2-1 series and are on a do-or-die trek in Game 4. Still, that doesn’t mean the team did not fare well. At least, some of them did.

As Stephen Curry sat on the sidelines in his gray sweatpants, he saw Robin to his Batman, Jimmy Butler, continue to lead the team, both with voice and action. With a dominant performance, the wing brought in 33 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists in the losing effort. Jonathan Kuminga also put up 30 points and 6 rebounds in his 36 bench minutes. After a few dull shots, Buddy Hield too ended the night with 14 points. But there’s no doubt that the team needs Curry back on the floor. And as much as they do, he too wants to return.

He mentioned how “from all that I’ve learned, or all that I’m learning about how quickly you can get back, there has to be a healing process. That is just the way the body works. You can’t accelerate it more than what it’s telling you.” Stephen is making the push, to help his team stay afloat against a defensive opponent in Minnesota. So far, Jimmy Butler’s brush on a triple double, Hield’s finding his foot, and Kuminga’s valiant efforts have fallen short. Because a finisher – that’s what they are missing. But is he almost there? Is he almost back on the Chase Center’s hardwood? On Saturday, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater had some positive news.

According to Slater, “About 90 minutes before tip on Saturday night, Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry went through a pretty strenuous workout on the team’s practice court… It was the clearest initial step in what Curry hopes to be an expedited return from the hamstring strain.”

No doubt, the hamstring strain has become one thing that can make or break the case for the Golden State Warriors at this point. Slater further reported, “Curry didn’t push it to full speed, according to a team source. He’s yet to burst or cut or test that left hamstring in a manner that’ll deliver him and Rick Celebrini — the team’s lead medical decision maker — the true information they’ll need on whether the hamstring is healed enough to return deeper in this series.”

While Steph doing the shooting drills is a sign of him fighting to return, the message in the locker room is clear — “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 and get this one on Monday,” said Jimmy after the loss.

As per Sham Charania of ESPN, Stephen might get back on the floor by Game 6. However, his status for Game 5 still not known. Nevertheless, the team will have to bring their best on Monday to at least reduce some pressure from Curry’s shoulder if he is to make a comeback in Game 5. Once the point guard goes full throttle and unleashes a sprint or sharp cut, Celebrini wouldn’t truly know the developments to clear the 37-year-old.

Yet on Saturday, there was movement. He eased into a shooting routine, stayed steady on the stationary bike, and stayed focused. It wasn’t particularly explosive, but it was meaningful. A quiet yet powerful sign that the Golden State star is inching forward. Every rep, every motion, now counts in his desperate push to rejoin the fight before time slips away. So, maybe, this secret workout with the doctor could help the guard improve quicker.

Meanwhile, amidst the noises, voices, loss, and hope, Jonathan Kuminga‘s statement game outshone every doubting eye that ever looked at him. A solid 30-point game and some strong words of wisdom, confidence, or frustration, that you can decide. But one thing is for sure: the Dubs locker room isn’t happy with the outcome.

Jonathan Kuminga sends a strong message in Stephen Curry’s absence after a 97-102 loss

Jonathan Kuminga arrived late but lit up Game 3 with a 10-second burst of brilliance. He blocked Jaden McDaniels, attacked Rudy Gobert for an and-1 over the four-time Defensive Player of the Year, and never looked back. The 22-year-old finished with a playoff career-high 30 points on 11 of 18 shooting, even dunking on Anthony Edwards while locking him down on defense. Yet it wasn’t enough. The Warriors let a 4-point lead slip in the fourth. With Stephen Curry sidelined, the offense felt hollow. After the loss, Kuminga faced the spotlight, pressed on about how the team plans to adapt without their missing superstar.

The 22-year-old replied, “It don’t really matter. I think the most important is just to go out there and perform, no matter whatever is going on. You know, it don’t matter if Steph is out there, if, whenever he’s coming back—I don’t know when—but you know, all that matters is just go out there and just give all you got. And I think that’s the most important.”

Truly, even if Curry doesn’t return by Game 6, the Golden State Warriors don’t have much to do but play the games. However, the lights on Steph’s comeback aren’t dim either. Undoubtedly, the Minnesota Timberwolves have exploited their flaws and found ways to pin down the Dubs.

Meanwhile, the dynasty stands bruised, but not broken. Even as Stephen Curry battles time and injury, his quiet fire burns on. Jonathan Kuminga has answered the call, yet the void remains. Still, the Warriors are not ready to fold. Because sometimes, all it takes is one spark to reignite a legacy.