The Golden State Warriors welcomed back Steph Curry from a two-game injury timeout on Friday night in a 111-95 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. Curry missed Golden State’s previous two games against the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks, which resulted in consecutive losses for the Warriors. Without Curry, Golden State is no threat to anyone—East or West. So getting him back, even if he’s not 100%, bodes well for the Warriors going forward with the playoffs just ahead of them. That said, just because Curry is back playing doesn’t mean he’s still not feeling some pain and discomfort.
Warriors’ Steph Curry Reacts to Returning From Injury
Steph Curry Will Feel the Soreness For A While After Returning To the Golden State Warriors Lineup from Injury
In 34 minutes against the Pelicans, Curry tallied 23 points, four rebounds, and six assists but shot just 5-16 from three. It wasn’t Curry’s most efficient outing this season, but can you blame him? He took a hard fall three games ago that sidelined him with a pelvic contusion. The Warriors couldn’t afford to lose him for a lengthy period, considering where they are in the West standings and the fact that they’re on the edge of slipping into play-in territory—a place that Warriors head coach Steve Kerr does not want to be in, and not just his for sake, but for Curry’s as well. Skipping the play-in would allow Curry a week’s worth of rest. It’s a similar hope the Los Angeles Lakers hold for LeBron James.
Curry could use the rest on top of the week he just had. That said, he is fine playing with the discomfort he talked about feeling after the win over New Orleans, according to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN.
“I think that (this time it didn’t) break anything or have any bone damage, was mostly just a deep serious contusion that I’ll feel it for a while,” Curry said. “But I can play and I can’t make it worse as long as I don’t land on it again.”
Kerr also acknowledged Curry’s three-point shortcomings, but didn’t hesitate to compliment his overall game in the return.
“I thought he looked great. He was moving really well. Took care of the ball. I thought Steph played an excellent game. He probably missed his last five or six threes, so the numbers don’t look great, but he looked like himself. And I think the week off did him a lot of good.”
Health Is Key
Injuries suffered shortly before the playoffs are not ideal for any team. Look at the Lakers, who lost LeBron for two weeks. They’ve struggled since, and even after he returned. Luckily for the Warriors, Curry was only out for two games and not longer. Otherwise, it could have derailed Golden State’s playoff chances to a greater extent, considering the Minnesota Timberwolves are hot on their trail with just one loss separating the two teams (Warriors 42-31, Timberwolves 42-32).
Like the Lakers, who are also jockeying for positioning in the West, the Warriors playoff chances lie solely on health and availability. Golden State does not have the roster to contend sans Curry. Health is key above all else. So, as nice as it is to see Curry back on the floor, for the Warriors sake, let’s hope he remains on the floor from here on out, even if it still hurts a little bit.
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