Challenge, Warriors head coach Colle candidly face the lineup choice of Stephen Curry absent

Warriors head coach Steve Cole was honest about the lineup adjustment when Stephen Curry was absent in the second game against the Timberwolves.

With Stephen Curry's absence, Steve Cole and the Golden State Warriors lost 93-117 to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 2. Curry had a left hamstring strain in the first game, and it is unlikely that he could compete in the remaining matches of the Western Conference semifinals. After Thursday’s defeat, Cole spoke frankly about the challenges facing the understaffed Warriors in the second round of the series.

According to 95.7 The Game, Cole talked about the challenges facing the team at the post-match media meeting.

"I haven't learned anything I didn't know before. You can always play through Jimmy. He's a great singles player and a great passer. It's more important to figure out who should be around him and who will play in Game 3. What's going to be our rotation squad. It's not as simple as Stephen's absence, so we just replaced him with one person. The domino effect of Stephen's absence caused Terres to play tonight because we need to score. We need finishing ability, and you see how he's on the court. J.K. So."

"In the past few months, we've found a plan, and we've obviously had a lot of success. But without Stephen, this plan completely failed and we have to find the next one," Cole concluded.

Jonathan Kumingga scored 18 points to lead the Warriors' bench. Teres Jackson Davis contributed 15 points and 6 rebounds. According to The Athletic's Anthony Slater, Cole said he relied on substitutes to step up instead of overworking starters Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green.

"I don't want to let Draymond or Jimmy go too far. I don't want to do my best in the game unless there's a chance," Cole said. "We obviously launched the offense in the second half, but we felt that many people played very short in the first half, and we wanted to protect Green and Jimmy - they could play a lot of playing time almost every other day."

Butler said he was confident that he would partner with Kumingga in Game 3, and the Warriors would strive to lead 2-1.

Steve Cole talks about how to lead the Warriors coach of Stephen Curry, who is absent, and said that his All-Star Stephen Curry showed his presence with his teammates. According to 95.7 The Game, Curry has been communicating with the players on the bench, although he has not physically been unable to make an impact on the game.

"He was doing a great job. He sat on several positions on the bench. We talked to him a few times during the game, and he talked to all the players," Cole said. "I don't know what he said to the players, but we feel relieved with him on the bench." The Warriors will host the Timberwolves at home on Saturday for the third game.