3:07pm: An MRI on Curry’s right ankle came back clean, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, who says (via Twitter) that the star guard’s return timeline will depend on how the ankle responds within the next few days.
Shams Charania and Anthony Slater of The Athletic (Twitter link) report that Curry will miss at least one game and possibly more, but there’s optimism that his absence won’t be a lengthy one.
The Warriors are expected to issue a formal update on Saturday, tweets Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area.
7:04am: Warriors star Stephen Curry exited the team’s Thursday loss to the Bulls late in the fourth quarter after rolling his right ankle and didn’t return to the game, according to Kendra Andrews of ESPN and Anthony Slater of The Athletic.
The injury occurred as Curry was cutting to the basket and receiving a pass (Twitter video link via NBC Sports Bay Area). After attempting to walk it off, he eventually limped to the locker room.
Speaking to reporters after the game, head coach Steve Kerr didn’t have much of an update on Golden State’s leading scorer, offering only that he saw Curry with his right foot in a bucket of ice after the game. However, as Andrews and Slater observe, Curry’s teammates were talking as if they’re preparing for him to miss a little time.
“He had his ankle wrap on,” Klay Thompson said, per Slater. “Icing his ankle. I know we’re going to miss him … if he does have time off. We’ve been in this position before where he has had time off and we have to do it collectively. I know he’ll be ready to go when he does come back.”
Draymond Green said Curry’s spirits were “high” after the game but that he might undergo an MRI on the injured ankle. Green also discussed the possibility of Chris Paul entering the starting five in Curry’s place, expressing confidence that the team would be OK despite the potential lineup change.
“We know he is more than capable. He’s Chris Paul,” Green said, according to Andrews. “It’s been incredible having C here, but then you have Steph going down — no one is Steph Curry in the NBA. But knowing you are going into the game with a guy who can win you game after game after game, it definitely gives you confidence going in knowing that you are more than capable to win games.”
Curry, who has dealt with some ankle sprains in the past, had been enjoying one of his healthiest seasons in years heading into Thursday’s contest. He missed two games in November due to a minor knee issue and sat out one end of a back-to-back set in January but has appeared in 59 of the Warriors’ 62 games.
Even if Curry has to miss some time, there’s no indication at this point that the ankle injury is serious enough to jeopardize his ability to play in at least 65 games and qualify for an All-NBA spot. However, his diagnosis may affect Golden State’s push for a higher playoff seed.
The Warriors currently hold the No. 9 spot in the West at 33-29. They’re just percentage points ahead of the 34-30 Lakers and trail the eighth-place Mavericks by 1.5 games.
A 2nd game of a back to back and genius Steve Kerr shortens his rotation after playing Steph 32 minutes in the 30 pt blowout the day before. DeRozan scores at will but no Wiggins in the 4th Q and only 10 minutes for GPII?
Anyway, here’s hoping the ankle isn’t too serious!
why no looney when the Bulls center was scoring at will and rebounding.
No kidding
hopefully back for Dallas next Wednesday
I guess the silver lining here is that the West is basically set barring a Jazz winning streak of 10 games. Given Curry’s ankle problems in the past, the Warriors at least have to ponder whether its smart to bring him back for an 8 seed push or let him recover as best as possible and get ready for a slug fest in the play in.
Better to get into the 8th seed so you are not needing to win twice and play the Nuggets in the playoffs.
Even if it means Curry is 80% or worse for the 7/8 match? Not convinced Nuggets are a lock for the one seed.
whew!
Time for Curry’s annual ankle rest, just a little later than usual this season.