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The Golden State Warriors will be without Stephen Curry for at least two weeks after an MRI confirmed an oblique abdominal tear, adding another major injury to an already depleted roster.
The Warriors announced Thursday that Curry will be reevaluated in two weeks after he left Wednesday night’s 115-108 loss to the Houston Rockets with right-side discomfort. The 38-year-old guard exited with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter and did not return.
Curry initially tried to play through the pain after grabbing his right side early in the game. He made a 28-foot three-pointer with 7:22 left in the opening period but appeared to hurt himself on the shot before signaling toward the bench.
Head coach Steve Kerr said Curry told him the injury felt different from anything he had experienced before.
“Concern is high,” Kerr said.
Curry underwent an MRI after leaving the arena at halftime. The diagnosis will sideline him for at least the Warriors’ next seven games against the San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers.
Stephen Curry Was Leading Warriors’ Early Surge
Curry’s absence comes at a difficult time for Golden State, which saw its eight-game winning streak end against Houston. The Warriors entered the game with an 8-4 record, while their star guard had helped drive their strong start.
In 10 games this season, Curry is averaging 27.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.9 assists. He is also shooting a career-best 45.7% from three-point range, making his absence a significant challenge for the team’s offense.
Golden State struggled without Curry last season, going 13-26 in the 39 games he missed. The Warriors have a 1-1 record in games without him this season, but Draymond Green believes the group is better equipped to handle his absence.
“The spirit of this team is better,” Green said. “We’re more certain of who we are, what makes us a good team.”
Green also pointed to rookie Yaxel Lendeborg and Brandin Podziemski as players who could help the team remain competitive. Lendeborg finished Wednesday’s game against Houston with a team-high 25 points and 10 rebounds.
Warriors Face More Injury Problems
Curry is the latest key player to join Golden State’s growing injury list. Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody remain sidelined while recovering from significant knee injuries, while Kristaps Porzingis has been away from the team indefinitely.
Backup guard Brandon Williams is also expected to miss at least a week with a hamstring injury, further limiting the Warriors’ backcourt options.
Without Curry, Golden State will need increased production from Lendeborg, Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton and LJ Cryer. The coaching staff will also have to find ways to replace the scoring and playmaking of its leading offensive threat.
The Warriors expect to provide another update on Curry after his two-week reevaluation. His recovery progress will determine whether he can return shortly afterward or face a longer spell on the sidelines.
