NBA Playoffs: Golden State ‘could have gone the distance’ if Steph Curry was healthy- Steve Kerr

Without the injured Stephen Curry, the Warriors were no match for the Wolves, losing four straight after taking Game 1.

While the Warriors did not want to make any excuses and repeatedly praised Minnesota, Kerr was asked whether he will look back on this postseason and wonder about what Golden State could have done had Curry not suffered a Grade 1 left hamstring strain in Game 1.

“I don’t even have to think what [if],” Kerr said. “I know we had a shot. I know we could have gone the distance.

“Maybe we wouldn’t have, but it doesn’t matter. Again, everything in the playoffs is about who stays healthy and who gets hot. Are you playing well at the right time?”

Curry, 37, called his injury a “gut punch” considering how well the Warriors were playing and the potential they had for a deep run while also not knowing how many more of these opportunities he will have.

Not long after the Warriors traded for Butler, Green had said that Golden State would win the title.

“I think I still have that belief, wholeheartedly,” Green said Wednesday night. “That has not changed one bit. And you retool, you do whatever it is that you got to do to take that next step and give yourself a better chance.”

“Once Steph went out, it changed everything for our whole team, but especially for Jimmy.”

Butler said he can see the potential of this team as a contender when healthy.

“For sure,” he said. “I think we all know that, we all believe that.”