Golden State was rolling Minnesota early in the second quarter of Game 1 of Tuesday’s Western Conference semifinal series at Target Center.

But then an unfortunate event that figures to change the course of the series occurred, as Warriors star guard Steph Curry pulled up lame and left the game with a hamstring strain. He did not return.

Surely, Minnesota recovered from there, Golden State sans the man its entire offense is built around.

Or, you know, not.

Frankly, it was Minnesota’s offense that looked like it was missing a key part or five in its 99-88 defeat at the hands of shorthanded Golden State.

Minnesota went 0 for 15 from 3-point range in the first half, after going 7 for 47 in its closeout victory over the Los Angeles Lakers last week. But the offensive struggles extended far beyond shots not falling.

Golden State’s rotations and attention to detail were far more crisp than anything Los Angeles put forth in the last round.

Minnesota stopped moving the ball and its bodies. The Wolves were stuck in the mud. They trailed by 23 at one point in the third frame.

Minnesota finally attacked the rack in the fourth quarter, putting together a mini rally to pull within nine in the final six minutes.

But a consecutive pair of buckets from Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield finally ended Golden State’s offensive drought to build the lead back to 14.

Game 2 is on Thursday in Minneapolis.

It would appear to be a longshot that Curry would be ready for that contest. And, depending on the severity of his injury, Curry’s series could be over.

That would likely ultimately mean another appearance in the West finals for Minnesota, regardless of how poorly it played Tuesday.

But if Curry is able to return at some point in the series, Minnesota will rue its inexcusable performance in front of a riled up home crowd.

Golden State was less than 48 hours removed from a Game 7 victory in Houston that wrapped a grueling, two-week battle. Minnesota had five days ahead of Game 1. You never would’ve known that judging off the performances of the two teams.

For the game, Minnesota went 34 for 86 from the field, including 5 for 29 from distance. Anthony Edwards was particularly bad. The star guard didn’t play with any force or purpose and was shut out until he finally made a free throw midway through the third frame.

Hield led Golden State with 24 points, while Draymond Green had 18, and Butler had 20 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.