Golden State Warriors star Steph Curry was injured after tumbling over Houston Rockets forward Trevor Ariza while trying to block Ariza’s shot during the second quarter of Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals.
Despite the scary nature of the fall, Curry was later able to return to the game in the third quarter. He finished the game with 23 points and four assists in 31 minutes as the Warriors lost to the Rockets 128-115.
Curry is expected to play in Game 5 of the series Wednesday night, as Golden State tries to close out the series for a second time.
Here’s what you need to know about the injury:
1. He Has Been Diagnosed With a Head Contusion
Steph Curry falls over Trevor Ariza. (Getty)
According to ESPN, Curry was diagnosed with a head contusion.
He was questionable to return to the game, but missed only the end of the second quarter and first part of the third quarter.
2. He Was Motionless on the Ground For Several Minutes
Medical staff check on Curry after the fall. (Getty)
Curry remained on the ground, on his stomach, while medical staff from both teams checked on him.
The crowd was quiet as Curry held the back of his head and neck.
3. He Walked Off the Court on His Own Power & Later Returned to the Warriors’ Bench
Curry walks off the court after the injury. (Getty)
A stretcher was brought out as a precaution, but he was able to walk off on his own power, with the help of medical staff.
Rockets fans applauded as Curry was helped to the locker room.
4. He Was Checked for a Concussion
Curry was trying to block a shot when he flipped over Ariza. (Getty)
According to ESPN’s Doris Burke, the team is being cautious with Curry in case he has a concussion. They performed all the necessary tests to determine if he was concussed by the fall and he was able to pass the tests.
Warriors GM Bob Myers told ESPN that Curry “should be okay.”
Curry was joined by his father, Dell, in the locker room.
5. The Injury Motivated the Warriors to Go on a Run & Cut Into the Rockets’ Lead
Curry’s fall set the Warriors on a run, as they cut a large Warriors lead down to 10 heading into the half. (Getty)
Head Coach Steve Kerr gave the Warriors a pep talk after the injury, saying that the mood in the arena had changed and it was time for the Warriors to step up in Curry’s absence.
Picking up the slack. Warriors went 9-15 from the field & 5-6 from 3-point land after losing Steph Curry. http://t.co/nHFd7zZhCW
Golden State was able to cut the Rockets 23-point lead down to 10 points heading into the half.
But the Rockets opened back up a 22-point lead late in the third quarter, despite Curry’s return. He seemed a little dazed when he returned to the court and struggled to find his shooting stroke at times.
Curry couldn’t help the Warriors complete the comeback, as James Harden (45 points) led Houston to a victory to cut Golden State’s series lead down to 3-1.
Game 5 will be played Wednesday night in Oakland.
