No Stephen Curry no problem for Warriors because of Buddy Hield

Buddy Hield is about to become a household name.

Just 13 minutes into the second round of the NBA Playoffs, the Golden State Warriors lost franchise player and 11-time All-Star Stephen Curry. He hurt his hamstring early in the second quarter and, according to ESPN's Shams Charania, will miss at least a week, which includes Game 2, 3 and 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Game 5 will come just eight days after Curry's injury.

There should be no panic about losing maybe the greatest shooter in NBA history, though, because the Warriors have Hield, who rightfully earned the nickname "Buddy Buckets" during his four seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners.

Curry to miss multiple NBA Playoff games because of injury

Even without Curry most of the game Tuesday night, the Warriors still beat the Timberwolves 99-88 to steal Game 1 in Minneapolis. Hield led all scorers with 24 points while going 5-for-8 from the 3-point line. He also added eight rebounds, three assists, a steal and didn't turn the ball over while controlling the game.

Hield was also the hero the game before while still sharing the court with Curry. In a clutch Game 7 performance, Hield was again the Warriors' leading scorer with 33 points thanks to nine made 3-point shots, which tied an NBA Playoffs Game 7 record.

Tuesday night's performance just two days later made even more history for Hield. He became just the third player in NBA history to record 20 or more points with five or more 3-pointers and no turnovers in back-to-back playoff games.

There is no replacing Curry in the NBA Playoffs, but right now, Hield is the best shooter and scorer on the team, and maybe even the league. As Curry has become known simply as Steph, within the next week, Buddy, too, will be on a first-name basis with NBA fans.

The Warriors will play the Timberwolves in Game 2 at 7:30 p.m. CT Thursday on TNT.

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