Hold your breath, Dub Nation, the wait for Steph might stretch longer than you hoped. While fans cling to Game 3 hopes vs the Wolves, Shams Charania just dropped a tough pill to swallow. As the Golden State Warriors brace for another pivotal matchup in their series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, one question looms over the entire team: Will Stephen Curry be back for Game 3?

Curry, the heart and soul of the Warriors, has been sorely missed since his hamstring injury, which has thrown the team’s rhythm into disarray. While the Warriors managed to stay competitive without their superstar in a tough 93-117 loss in Game 2, it left fans wondering how much longer they can rely on the collective effort of their roster without Curry leading the charge.

Head coach Steve Kerr has made it clear that the Warriors’ identity is undergoing a major shift. Without Curry, the Warriors are forced to rethink their approach. And despite the optimism around other faces stepping up, the burning question on everyone’s mind remains the same. The answer? Shams Charania. Being one of the most trusted NBA insiders, Shams has revealed that the earliest Stephen Curry could make his return is Game 6, given the extent of his injury. Yes, Game 6! Meaning, he will be missing Game 3.

And honestly? This news comes as a blow to Warriors fans hoping for an early comeback from their star player. But it also sheds light on the team’s current predicament — a series of increasingly desperate games without their captain.

The team’s offensive structure, typically built around Stephen Curry’s playmaking and sharp shooting, now looks to other players to step up and fill that leadership void. “It’s a completely different team without Steph,” Kerr admitted. “Everything has to be about finding a new formula, and guys like Jonathan Kuminga and Trayce Jackson-Davis (TJD) will absolutely be a part of that formula.”

Looking ahead as Stephen Curry won’t be playing in Game 3 vs the Wolves, and what it means for the Warriors

Speaking to the media ahead of Game 2 at Target Centre on Thursday, Curry admitted not having a target return date. “This is new,” Curry said of the injury. “And from all that I’m learning about how quickly you can get back, there has to be a healing process. That’s just how your body works, and you can’t accelerate it more than what it is telling you.”

“It’ll be one of those [injuries], after a week, really evaluating every day to kind of understand when it’s safe just to even think about playing. Let alone, how much can you push it?” Apart from the hamstring injury, which he is dealing with for the first time in his career, Stephen Curry was already playing with an injured thumb on his shooting hand. So it’s fair for the All-Star to finally take some time off and heal completely rather than coming into the game unprepared and injured.

And yes, we get it, it’s hard to imagine the Warriors in a playoff game without Curry. But if Game 2 proved anything, it’s that the team’s depth could still make them a tough out. Whether or not Curry returns in Game 3, the Warriors will need all hands on deck. Kerr’s decision to give Kuminga and TJD more minutes signals a belief in the team’s ability to step up collectively. But will it be enough to get past the Timberwolves?

Back at Chase Center, Buddy Hield and Jimmy Butler have a chance to flip the script—and the crowd might just be their secret weapon. The Warriors’ young guns tend to shine brighter at home, and that energy could fuel a momentum swing.

Jimmy Butler lives for these moments. Two Finals runs with Miami proved one thing: the stakes only sharpen his edge. “Any team with me on it, I think has a chance,” he said—and with Golden State’s season hanging in the balance, expect him to lean all the way in.

As for Hield, his shooting remains a game-changer. He drilled 203 triples this season and went 5-for-8 from deep in Game 1, punishing Minnesota’s defense whenever they keyed in on Butler or Draymond. If the Timberwolves shift focus, he’ll be lurking—relocating off-ball, ready to fire. Game 2 was quiet, but don’t count him out. He’s already dropped 33 in a Game 7 this postseason. Hield doesn’t just shoot—he shows up when it matters.

The Warriors have shown time and time again that they thrive under pressure. While Curry’s injury looms large, the fight for a championship continues. Kerr’s willingness to adjust and lean on his younger players might just provide the spark the team needs to stay competitive in this series. The Warriors are in uncharted territory, but they’re not out of the fight yet.

Game 3 will be a defining moment for the Warriors. Not just for their chances of advancing, but for their ability to show resilience in the face of adversity. With or without Curry, they’ve got a fight on their hands. And with players like Kuminga, TJD, and others stepping up, the Warriors might just prove that their depth is more than enough to keep the dream alive.