The Golden State Warriors are optimistic about welcoming back their veteran sharpshooter Stephen Curry for next Friday’s home matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 12.
Following Tuesday’s 124-112 defeat to the Oklahoma City Thunder, head coach Steve Kerr identified the December 12 game as a potential target for Curry’s return. Kerr also confirmed that Curry will not join the team on their upcoming three-game East Coast road trip, which features games in Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Chicago.
“He will not make the trip. He’s gonna stay home,” Kerr stated about Curry on Tuesday night, as reported by 95.7 The Game.
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“It was a long shot for him to play in the back-to-back [against the Cavaliers and Bulls]. And we don’t play again until Friday, so it just makes perfect sense for him to stay home with [director of sports medicine and performance] Rick [Celebrini], get the rehab done here, get his work in and hopefully be ready for Minnesota next Friday.”
Warriors Surprise Thunder
Despite missing Curry and even Jimmy Butler III (sore left knee) for the second half of Tuesday’s contest against the reigning NBA champions, the Warriors put up a strong fight. The game remained competitive until the Thunder pulled ahead with a 33-24 edge in the fourth quarter.
Kerr’s squad stunned the defending champions by dominating the third quarter 44-28, thanks to standout performances from Brandin Podziemski (nine points), Moses Moody (eight points), Pat Spencer (nine points), and Gary Payton III (six points), who shouldered the offensive burden. Additionally, new acquisition Seth Curry and Jonathan Kuminga delivered crucial contributions.
Seth Curry tallied 14 points in just 18 minutes, knocking down two three-pointers.
Stephen Curry Injury
Stephen Curry was originally scheduled for a reevaluation on Thursday after being diagnosed with a quad contusion and muscle strain last week. However, Kerr’s recent update indicates that the evaluation won’t dictate his immediate return, as the Warriors plan to proceed without their star player for the next three road games, regardless of his progress.
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Curry sustained the quad injury during last Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets. The incident happened with 3:24 remaining in the fourth quarter when he attempted to defend a driving Amen Thompson under the basket. Initially called as an offensive foul, the decision was overturned to a blocking foul on Curry. Despite developing a noticeable limp, he remained in the game until the final 35.2 seconds. Although he walked to the locker room unaided, he appeared to be in significant pain, struggling to bear weight on his left leg.
Shortly after the injury, Kerr expressed relief that it wasn’t more severe.
“It’s a big relief,” Kerr commented on the Stephen Curry injury, via The Athletic’s Nick Friedell.
“You always worry when Steph goes down that it’s something that’s going to keep him out for a while. So, the fact that we’re taking it by the week and doesn’t appear to be anything too serious is a great sign. It gives us relief for sure.”