The Golden State Warriors will have to survive without Steph Curry for at least a few more games.
Curry suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1 of the Warriors’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The two-time MVP headed to the locker room during the second quarter of Tuesday’s contest and did not return to the floor.
On Saturday, ESPN’s Shams Charania provided an update on Curry’s rehab progress, including an optimistic target return date. According to Shams, Curry and the Warriors’ training staff “still have plenty of work to be done” to get the superstar ready to move and take contact like he normally does on an NBA floor. His reevaluation is scheduled for Wednesday.
Golden State is reportedly eyeing Game 6 as the “earliest” opportunity for Curry to return. That would mean the Warriors must win at least one game without Curry from Games 3 to 5 to give him some leeway to work his way back to the court. This is the first time Curry has dealt with a hamstring issue throughout his 16-year NBA career.
Without Curry in Game 2, the Warriors got crushed 117-93 to even the series at 1-1.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has hinted at the “new formula” he will try without Curry in the lineup. With two of the series’ next three games in San Francisco, Golden State will need to rely on that formula and the energy from the home crowd to try to upset Minnesota at least once.
