The
Warriors
They took Game 1, but will be without Stephen Curry for Game 2.
The following day after Curry left
The Golden State Warriors’ 99-88 win in Game 1 against the Timberwolves.
Following an injury, an MRI on Wednesday showed a strained left hamstring. Curry is not set to play in Game 2 tonight, and the Warriors have stated that he will undergo another evaluation in one week, keeping him out of action for at least the upcoming two games.
At 37 years old, Curry, an 11-time All-Star, remains the primary offensive force for the Warriors. His participation significantly impacts Golden State’s chances in the playoffs, particularly during their Western Conference semifinals matchup with Minnesota and in subsequent rounds.
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According to certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts, who keeps an extensive record of NBA injuries, the typical recovery period for athletes suffering from a grade 1 hamstring strain lasts around 10 days. The schedule shows that game 3 will be held on Saturday, May 10th; game 4 is set for Monday, May 12th; should they reach game 5, it would take place on Wednesday, May 14th; and if needed, game 6 is planned for Sunday, May 18th.
Although the Warriors haven’t set an official schedule for his comeback, Curry might be able to join them for a potential Game 5, Game 6, or Game 7.
“After Golden State’s Game 1 win on Tuesday, Warriors star Jimmy Butler stated, ‘I believe everyone wants (No. 30) back. However, we hope he does what’s best for himself and ultimately benefits our team. In the meantime, we will maintain our stronghold. I am confident in our ability to do so,’” he added confidently.
On Tuesday evening, during the game in Minneapolis, Curry departed from the match when there were just over eight minutes left in the first half. Throughout this quarter, he had frequently clutched his left hamstring region. After Draymond Green sank a three-point shot and Minnesota requested a timeout, Curry was seen leaving the court as the Warriors maintained their lead at 30-20.
Prior to exiting the game, Curry amassed 13 points with a field goal of 5 out of 9, along with making three out of six from beyond the arc. Following his final successful shot, he signaled towards Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr indicating he was ready to be substituted, after which Brandin Podziemski entered the court as Curry proceeded to the locker room.
Curry had another outstanding season (24.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds per game and 39.7% 3-point shooting) and his ability to perform like that at his age is a major reason why the Warriors acquired Butler from Miami in a trade deadline deal in February. Since acquiring Butler, the Warriors have been one of the best teams in the league.
Following Game 1, Kerr indicated that Curry was considered day-to-day; however, he didn’t provide further information besides mentioning the planned MRI.
I spoke with him during halftime,” Kerr stated. “He’s clearly devastated, but his teammates lifted his spirits and delivered an outstanding performance. Clearly, everyone is worried about Steph, however, injuries are just part of the sport. When players get injured, you have to keep going.
Our team really bounced back and secured a fantastic victory just 48 hours following their decisive Game 7 away win. They’re an incredible bunch of players. These athletes— they fight hard and stick together as a unit. Since acquiring Jimmy, we’ve had the strongest defensive record in the league, which has kept us competitive.
(The narrative has been updated to include more details.)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:
Steph Curry Hamstring Injury: Latest on His Availability for Warriors’ Game 2
