Steph Curry’s MRI reveals ‘no structural damage’ following pelvic contusion
The Warriors got the news they were hoping for on Friday morning from Steph Curry’s MRI.
Dub Nation can finally exhale. The Golden State Warriors and their entire fanbase have been collectively holding their breath since Steph Curry left Thursday night’s victory over the Toronto Raptors with a pelvic contusion. However, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports that the results of Curry’s MRI confirmed that he did not suffer any structural damage.
“MRI on Warriors star Stephen Curry’s pelvic area confirmed a contusion and no structural damage, sources tell ESPN,” Charania wrote. “Curry is expected to miss the start of Golden State’s six-game road trip, beginning Saturday in Atlanta, as he receives treatment over the next few days.”
The Warriors have been steadily climbing the standings since acquiring Jimmy Butler at the trade deadline. As Golden State has reentered contention conversations, the largest question hanging over them is the age of their core. While young players like Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga, and Quinten Post have all played key roles, the three most important players on the team are Curry, Butler, and Draymond Green.
Curry just turned 37. Butler and Green are both 35. Even if the Warriors have the talent to make a deep playoff run, can they withstand the physical toll? Curry’s hard fall last night was the first big reminder of that.
Nevertheless, the Warriors have avoided the worst. There next four games are against incredibly weak competition. Even without Steph, the Dubs will still likely be favored in all of those games. In other words, Curry has an 11-day window before the Warriors schedule gets far more difficult. If he will be absent for two weeks or more, it will get far more difficult to imagine Golden State holding onto the sixth seed over the Clippers and Timberwolves.
There is a world where the Warriors could use this tough break to their advantage. Curry’s absence will force them to lean on young players, like Jonathan Kuminga, for more scoring. It will also give them more opportunities to acclimate to playing alongside Butler. Moreover, if Curry is able to make a full recovery, he is functionally getting some rest from what has undeniably been a draining season.
If Butler, Green, and the rest of the Dubs can pick up the slack in Curry’s absence, and Steph is able to return in 10 days or so, Golden State could be 45-29 with a well-rested Curry heading into their final eight games of the regular season. We’ll see how well things break for the Warriors.