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The infirmary of the Golden State Warriors got even bigger this past Friday, as the seemingly triumphant return of Stephen Curry turned into yet another setback in a season mired by injuries.
This wasn't yet another of four different re-injuries of his surgically repaired right ankle, but a devastating freak injury, as a tumbling JaVale McGee landed on Curry's knee, causing what would be later revealed to be a Grade 2 MCL Sprain.
An injury so deflating with all the other All-Stars on the shelf, that it made NBC Sports Bay Area broadcaster Jim Barnett shout “son of a gun” on-air after seeing the Warriors point guard in pain following the play.
Curry's regular season is over, having played in only 51 games after several injuries have plagued him coming off a championship season. Yet this is the spot where he's been used to being.
His prognosis — out at least three weeks before re-evaluation, which would put him on course to return sometime during the first round of the playoffs, barring any setbacks.
“Oh, there’s no way he’s playing in the first round,” head coach Steve Kerr said before the Warriors hosted Utah on Sunday night, according to Marcus Thompson of The Athletic. “There’s no way.”
But this is just the type of statements that Curry likes to make, proving even those as close to him as Kerr that he is made of something different.
“I mean, based on what I've been told,” Curry said. “Three weeks is a good benchmark to re-evaluate and reassess where I'm at in my progress. So mentally for me, staying positive and staying upbeat — hopefully I prove coach wrong and put myself in a position to get back as soon as possible.”
Yet this isn't the first time Curry has dealt with a myriad of injuries, as it was only six years ago that he could not keep himself from re-spraining his ankles — managing only 26 appearances during the 2011-12 season, which led to the Warriors eventually taking a risk-measured decision to sign him to a four-year, $44 million contract — one that paid the organization in full with two championships and two MVP seasons for their investment.
Unlike others, who would be deflated by this nightmarish wave of hurt, Curry has remained upbeat, ever-so-hopeful to return when the time is right, as he's done so before.
“Definitely helpful knowing how my body responds to being out for an extended period of time,” Curry said, “and having to come back into pressure situations in high-intensity playoff games. Been there before for sure. I think I've handled it pretty well. Hopefully I get as close to 100 percent before I get back as possible so I'm not limited out there.”
With a No. 2 seed likely locked up, the Warriors are looking to fine-tune aspects of their play without their stars, asking their players to be disciplined and learn with every loss as well as garnering experience with every minute on the court — all valuable when it comes down to what they hope is another long run in the postseason.
