The Warriors’ season took a potential hit on Sunday night as star point guard Stephen Curry suffered a left ankle sprain. The injury occurred during the fourth quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers. He had 18 points, six assists, four rebounds and two steals in 27 minutes prior to exiting.
A Double Whammy
Curry twisted his ankle twice during the game, forcing him to leave the court. The initial injury happened late in the third quarter, causing him to limp to the bench. The pain was obvious immediately. Curry sat until the middle of the fourth quarter, grimacing while trying to put pressure on it.
He called for a substitution and then hobbled to the back followed by lead medical decision maker Rick Celebrini. Re-entering at the 8:08 mark, and within 10 seconds, Curry twisted it again despite treatment. He was subsequently ruled out soon after. The Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry called his sprain “mild” and “moderate.” “He doesn’t think it’s too bad,” Kerr said. “But obviously it’s a concern.”
A Major Blow for the Warriors
Curry’s injury is a significant setback for the Warriors, who rely heavily on his scoring and playmaking abilities. The team will need to rely on other players to step up in his absence. Players like Brandin Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrew Wiggins will likely see increased roles.
As Curry undergoes an MRI to determine the severity of the injury, Warriors fans are anxiously awaiting an update on his status. His health will undoubtedly impact the team’s performance and playoff aspirations.
Curry this NBA season
Curry is coming off another solid season, which saw him average 26.4 points, 5.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds during the 2023-24 season. His career accolades include four NBA championships, two NBA MVP awards and 10 All-Star Game appearances. The 36-year-old also added a gold medal after helping lead Team USA to a perfect 6-0 record at the Paris Summer Olympics.
Obviously, the Warriors need a healthy Curry back to have any chance at competing for the playoffs. If Curry has to miss time, guards Brandin Podziemski and backup De’Anthony Melton would likely see increased roles. Others assuming more duties include Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins.
