Stephen Curry Leaves Game with Injury, MRI Scheduled for Tomorrow

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry exited Wednesday night’s game against the Houston Rockets in the final minute, suffering a right quad contusion. The Warriors ultimately lost the match 104-100 at their home arena in San Francisco. An MRI is scheduled for tomorrow to assess the severity of Curry’s injury.

Injury Details and Immediate Reactions

Curry’s injury occurred during a series of intense fourth-quarter plays. He attempted to take a charge against Rockets guard Amen Thompson, but was knocked down after an elbow collision. Initially, Curry was assessed a blocking foul, which was later challenged by Warriors coach Steve Kerr but not overturned. Following this sequence, Curry appeared to be in noticeable discomfort, moving gingerly during the closing moments of the game.

With just 35.2 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailing by five, Curry spoke with Rick Celebrini, the team’s lead medical decision-maker, who signaled to the bench that Curry would not continue. This development raises concerns about the Warriors’ future performance, especially as they grapple with a .500 record of 10-10 following a promising 4-1 start to the season. “If Steph has to miss [time], it obviously changes everything,” Kerr noted, acknowledging the impact on their rotations and overall strategy.

Team Performance Under Scrutiny

The Warriors’ recent struggles have drawn criticism from both players and analysts. Following Wednesday night’s defeat, Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green voiced their frustrations regarding the team’s defensive efforts. Butler remarked, “We don’t box out… we let anybody do whatever they want,” highlighting the team’s lack of discipline on the court. Despite the Rockets shooting only 39 of 99 from the field, they dominated the boards with 25 offensive rebounds, exploiting Golden State’s physicality issues.

Defensively, the Warriors maintain a respectable rating of 112.2, ranking 10th out of 30 teams, but their offensive rating of 113.2 places them 22nd. Green emphasized that numbers alone do not reflect the team’s spirit, stating, “Defense is about demeanor. If there’s letdown, it kills your demeanor.” His comments reflect a growing concern within the team about their collective focus and energy, especially following recent losses.

Green has been particularly vocal about the need for players to prioritize team dynamics over individual agendas. Following a blowout loss in Oklahoma City, he pledged to address these issues candidly, asserting, “We are individually f—ing awful.” Butler echoed similar sentiments, describing the team’s inconsistent hustle as “front-running,” where performance fluctuates based on offensive success.

As the Warriors navigate these challenges, forward Jonathan Kuminga appears close to a return. He participated in scrimmages on March 15, 2024, and expressed hope to play in the upcoming home game against the New Orleans Pelicans. However, the potential absence of Curry complicates matters. Butler stated, “We’re going to have to be damn near perfect [without Curry].” The team’s resilience will be tested in the coming games as they seek to regain momentum and cohesion.