The biggest news of the NBA playoffs is another Stephen Curry injury.
While the Golden State Warriors embarrassed the Minnesota Timberwolves on their home court in Game 1 on Tuesday, the greatest shooter in NBA history was forced to limp off the court in pain.
Stephen Curry could miss Golden State’s next playoff game due to injuryGetty“He’s obviously crushed,” said Golden State head coach Steve Kerr, referring to Curry’s hamstring injury.
The league’s all-time leader in made 3-pointers watched his team take a 1-0 Western Conference semifinals lead with a 99-88 road win.
Buddy Hield continued his playoff surge with 24 points, including five made 3s.
Jimmy Butler added 20 points for the Warriors, while Draymond Green contributed 18 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two steals with long-time nemesis Rudy Gobert mostly staying quiet.
“It was beautiful to see,” Green said. “Everybody who came into the game gave us something.”
But it’s almost impossible to picture the Warriors winning another world championship without their franchise player, and Curry isn’t expected to play in Game 2 on Thursday.
“Obviously, we’re all concerned about Steph,” Kerr said.
“But it’s part of the game. Guys get hurt and you move on.
“Our guys did a great job of moving on and getting a great win, 48 hours after a Game 7 road win.”
Curry has bounced back from multiple injuries throughout his legendary career, and has regularly dealt with ankle problems.
x@NBAonTNTShaquille O’Neal has big concerns about Curry’s injury problems[/caption] x@NBAonTNTCurry knew he had a hamstring problem and reached down to target the pain[/caption] GettyJimmy Butler was forced to step up in Curry’s absence[/caption]He fought off a thumb injury during a tough seven-game series against the Houston Rockets in the first round.
Yet the 37-year-old Curry spent last summer winning a gold medal with LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Team USA in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, and one of the best basketball players of all-time is concerned about the sharpshooter’s long-term health.
“Maybe he’s starting to break down. He moves a lot for a 37 year-old,” Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal said on Inside the NBA.
The Lakers great acknowledged that he was ‘nervous’ as he watched Curry grabbing his hamstring area
“He’s playing well,” O’Neal said.
“They’re going to miss him. Now it’s time for Jimmy to step up. Buddy Hield has to be the Buddy Hield he was in that Game 7 in Houston.”
Hield was exactly that in Game 1 against the Timberwolves, which ended with Minnesota head coach Chris Finch calling out young star Anthony Edwards.
“People are going to try to blame whatever, blame whoever,” said Edwards, who only scored one point in the first half.
“They can blame me. I just didn’t play good enough.”
While O’Neal wondered if an ‘old’ Curry is breaking down at the wrong time, one of the biggest keys to the Warriors’ dynasty-era fired back and took up for his injured teammate.
Golden State has survived tougher battles before, and the Warriors won Game 1 on the road without their best player.
Green wasn’t buying into O’Neal fear.
“Jimmy has taken a team to the Finals twice,” Green told ESPN. “We won’t panic.”
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