What started out as a playoff run filled with so much hope has ended with quite a thud for the Golden State Warriors as they saw their season come to its unfortunate conclusion after the Minnesota Timberwolves took care of business, 121-110, in Game 5 to advance to the Western Conference Finals. In the end, the Warriors simply did not have enough firepower without Stephen Curry — with Jimmy Butler not being able to channel his playoff alter-ego as he was held to just 17 points on 4-11 shooting from the field in the elimination game.

This playoff exit was coming for about a week now; the Warriors were simply a shell of themselves without their best player. Curry is simply too important to his team that this series became very lopsided in the Timberwolves' favor outside of Game 1 and much of Game 3.

Warriors fans are quite passionate, and they are currently in a state of mourning after seeing their team put up the best fight they could and yet fail to come close to the Timberwolves in their season-ending defeat. With Curry, the Dubs could have advanced further into the playoffs, many fans believe.

“Feel bad for Steph Curry. Without him they can't win one game to give him a chance to come back…” X user @DustinFluff wrote.

“I feel bad for curry. Would’ve been a tighter game if Curry wasn’t injured,” @EmporiumPix added.

“Resignation. That's what I felt when Curry got injured, coz I knew Dubs season was done. I'm glad they didn't force him to play again. Proud of our team. We didn't expect them to make the playoffs, but they made it to the 2nd round. Rest and heal, Dubs. See you next season,” @addictedto09 furthered.

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“warriors would win especially when curry is playing. yes warriors lost in 5 just like the lakers but if steph didn’t get his hamstring injured it would be a different story,” @loydrgn explained.

Warriors run out of juice, couldn't win one game sans Stephen Curry

Warriors forward Jimmy Butler III (10) dribbles the ball
© Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Stephen Curry is so valuable that the Warriors collapse into a team that doesn't look like it belongs in the playoffs whenever he's out. Jimmy Butler, who is dealing with an injury and an illness himself, simply couldn't channel Playoff Jimmy to try and keep their season alive and perhaps buy some time for Curry to recover from his hamstring injury.

At the very least, there is reason for the Warriors to run back (mostly) the same roster for next season, as they found so much success after acquiring Butler.