Stephen Curry’s oblique tear will keep him out at least two weeks, and the Golden State Warriors are preparing for a longer absence.
The team is bracing for Curry to miss closer to a month, ESPN reported Thursday, citing sources. The diagnosis came a day after Curry left Wednesday’s 115-108 loss in Houston in the first quarter.
How did Stephen Curry suffer the oblique tear?
Curry began grabbing at his right side a few minutes into Wednesday’s game against the Houston Rockets. He tried to play through it, glancing at the training staff. It was clear early that something was wrong.
Midway through the first quarter, he came off a Draymond Green screen and hit a three from 28 feet but yelled in pain and signaled to the bench. He left about a minute later and had an MRI.
Coach Steve Kerr said Curry told him it was an injury he had never felt before. Kerr said the team’s concern was high. Kerr’s comment underscored how serious the team considered the injury from the start.
At halftime, before leaving the arena for the MRI, Curry told teammates to stay focused and assured them he would be fine.
How many games will Curry miss?
The oblique tear will sideline Curry for at least seven games, against the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers. The stretch includes a matchup with Victor Wembanyama and the surging Spurs.
He will be reevaluated in two weeks. An oblique tear affects the muscles along the side of the abdomen that help with twisting and shooting motions. Recovery from an oblique tear often depends on the severity, and returning too soon can risk aggravating it.
How was Curry playing before the oblique tear?
Curry was in the middle of one of his best stretches. He is averaging 27.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds in 26.3 minutes per game and shooting a career best 45.7% from three point range. Curry turned 38 in March. His efficiency has been remarkable given his limited minutes.
The Warriors were down 19-10 when he left. They rallied to tie the game but lost by seven, snapping an eight game winning streak Curry had fueled. Golden State is 8-4. The streak was the Warriors’ longest of the season.
Who else is missing for the Warriors?
The injury adds to a growing list. Starting wings Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are rehabbing long term knee injuries.
Projected starting center Kristaps Porzingis has stepped away from the team and the sport entirely. Backup guard Brandon Williams strained a hamstring and will miss at least a week. That leaves Kerr with a thin rotation for a demanding stretch of the schedule.
Can the Warriors survive without Curry?
Last season, Golden State went 13-26 in the 39 games Curry missed. This season, the team is 1-1 without him. The difference this season may come down to depth and confidence.
Green said this group is in a better position. He said the team’s spirit has improved and players are more certain of their identity. He compared it with where the team stood last year.
He pointed to Yaxel Lendeborg, who can create advantages with the ball, and to Brandin Podziemski, who he said is playing much better. Green said those pieces leave the team better equipped than a year ago.
How the Warriors handle the oblique tear may shape their early season.
For now, the Warriors will try to hold steady until their star returns from the oblique tear.
