Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
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Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors looks on prior to the start of the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Just about all of us have knees and likewise, just about all of us are capable of running. So when the Golden State Warriors announced that star guard Stephen Curry is dealing with a case of “runner’s knee,” it’s a bit hard to process. Hasn’t he always had the knees of a runner?
The formal name of the condition, patellofemoral pain syndrome, is not much easier to process. But in the end, what matters is that Curry has been out for all of February, is out for Saturday’s game against the Lakers and possibly will be out until the Warriors play after the All-Star break, on February 19.
For a condition that was presented, initially, as a short-term, day-to-day injury, this is now looking more like a week-to-week sort of absence. Yes, there is a chance that Curry could play in one or both of Golden State’s games before the break next week. But it appears just as likely he does not play.
Stephen Curry Likely Out Till After All-Star Break
Here’s how ESPN’s Anthony Slater laid out the Warriors star’s future in the near term:
“Steph Curry hasn’t been ruled out of the next two games, but Kerr also indicated that Warriors could hold Curry out to the All-Star break to let him get his knee right. Called him doubtful for Monday.”
The Warriors play the lowly Grizzlies on Monday at Chase Center, and will do so without Curry. They close out the week on Wednesday against the Spurs before heading off for vacation.
With Saturday’s loss to the Lakers, the Warriors have now lost three out of four since Curry’s knee injury flared up. Obviously, it is a large portion of the offense that gets sidelined when Curry can’t play, and the team goes from a 23-16 club with him on the floor to 5-9 when he can’t play.
On the season, Curry is averaging 27.2 points, 48.8% shooting and 39.1% from the 3-point line.
Warriors Hoping for Some Star Synergy
The knee injury has been even more frustrating for the Warriors than it has been for Curry himself. And that’s saying something. Curry is eager to get back on the floor, especially with new Warriors addition Kristaps Porzingis waiting in the wings.
But he also vowed not to hurry the process and risk further injury.
“It’s a matter of learning as I go what works rehab-wise,” Curry said, via ESPN. “Because it’s still painful. You have to try to get rid of all the inflammation and pain. It’s something we still have to monitor and injury-manage, but it’s something where, if I come back too early, it could flare up.”
Curry is anticipating a smooth transitions for Porzingis.
“I’m learning some Latvian,” Curry said. “I’m just hoping that he’s healthy, first and foremost, so that he can do what he can do on the floor. Him and Al [Horford] won a championship together. Different context, but there’s a familiarity and skill set and size and presence that we’ve been looking for a while.”