Curry injury likely puts spotlight on Warriors’ heralded depth

Curry injury likely puts spotlight on Warriors’ heralded depth originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

SAN FRANCISCO – The Warriors approached the third game of the 2024-25 NBA season knowing the competition would be much more challenging than it was in the first two. What they didn’t know is whether they would meet it.
They did not, and it gets worse.

The Warriors not only lost the game, 112-104, to the Los Angeles Clippers but watched Stephen Curry limp off the floor after rolling his left ankle with 2:43 left in the third quarter.

After a brief trip to the locker room with the team’s medical specialist, Dr. Rick Celebrini, Curry returned in the fourth quarter but left for good 13 seconds later.

“He’s doing OK,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He used the word ‘mild’ or ‘moderate.’ He’s obviously sprained that ankle many times before. He doesn’t think it’s too bad, but it’s a concern.”

No matter what Golden State’s roster looks like, any injury to Curry is the nightmare scenario. Most of the team’s offense is designed in a way to maximize his unique skills as a shooter, passer and man of constant motion. For years, everything has revolved around Steph.

With Curry likely to miss some time, this is where the Warriors will find their depth tested under the worst conceivable conditions. Kerr must explore contingencies, the first being who would replace Curry in the starting lineup?

Andrew Wiggins, who finished with a team-high 29 points, 11 of which came during a stirring fourth-quarter comeback attempt, is first in line to carry a heavier scoring burden.

“I don’t know,” Kerr said. “Wiggs is off to a great start and had a big night tonight. He’s an obvious candidate to get the ball to more.”

The Warriors trailed by as much as 13 (with 7:35 remaining) but got within one with 3:47 remaining. It was not enough, however, to overcome earlier self-crippling tendencies. They committed 21 turnovers, many unforced, off which LA scored 21 points.

“They were great defensively,” Kerr said of the Clippers. “Forced a lot of turnovers. Really got into us, and we didn’t handle the pressure…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/curry-injury-likely-puts-spotlight-050124228.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2024-10-28 05:01:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.