Two-time MVP Stephen Curry exited Friday’s 131-124 loss to the Detroit Pistons in the third quarter due to right knee soreness and did not return, sparking concerns for the Golden State Warriors.
Thankfully, the veteran sharpshooter is not dealing with a severe injury, according to Warriors head coach Steve Kerr.
“I think he’ll be OK,” Kerr said of the Stephen Curry injury. “I don’t think it’s anything major, but we’ll have an update tomorrow (Saturday).”
When asked whether Curry was dealing with a lingering injury, Kerr confirmed that his best player had been dealing with knee soreness for over a week.
“Yeah, it’s the knee that kept him out of the game in Minneapolis (second night of back-to-back on Monday). It’s been nagging him the last week or so.”
Stephen Curry Injury Concerns
As Kerr alluded to, Curry revealed last weekend that “something flared up” in his knee during a Warriors shootaround ahead of the pair of games against the Minnesota Timberwolves. While Curry managed to play in the first game last Sunday, he sat out the second night of the back-to-back with knee soreness.
Curry had 23 points from 25 minutes before exiting Friday’s game at the 4:08 mark in the third quarter. The four-time NBA champion was seen limping for several possessions before he exited for the trainer’s room. When Curry left the game, the Warriors trailed 98-86 and surprisingly remained competitive in the fourth quarter against the Pistons, the No. 1 seed in the East. Kerr’s team received a huge boost from De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos and Buddy Hield, who combined for 44 points off the bench and provided a major offensive boost for a Warriors team without the sidelined Jimmy Butler and Jonathan Kuminga, and Curry during the final period.
NBA Trade Deadline Approaches
The good news for the Warriors is that they don’t play again until Tuesday night, when they host Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers. The three-day gap should likely allow Curry enough time to rest up and return.
The Warriors’ performance on Friday, even in a loss, was rather impressive amid the whirlwind of trade rumors attached to them ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline. As widely documented, the Warriors are the leading suitors in a potential Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, with the franchise reportedly making the entire roster, except for Stephen Curry, available in a potential deal.
Longtime defensive anchor Draymond Green addressed the widespread Warriors trade rumors after Friday’s loss.
“I’ve been here for 14 years,” Green said, via ESPN’s Anthony Slater. “I have no reason to sit and worry about leaving. But if I’m traded, that’s part of the business. I ain’t losing no sleep though. I slept great last night.”
Green, who shares a close relationship with Warriors governor Joe Lacob, said he’d completely understand if the franchise were to move him in a possible Giannis trade.
“I’m not going to go up there and be like, ‘Yo, so tell me what y’all doing,'” Green said of his talks with ownership. “I’ll be the same as I always am. My phone is always on. I’m always willing to collaborate in any way I can.”
Warriors Get Major Stephen Curry Injury Update After Pistons Loss