Curry had his ankle anointed with oil at Mark Jackson's church

Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry famously had to overcome recurrent ankle issues to blossom into the two-time MVP he is today. And while a successful surgery and tireless strength work have contributed to his clean bill of health in recent years, he may have also been getting some help from a higher power.

In an excerpt from his forthcoming book, "Golden: The Miraculous Rise of Steph Curry," Warriors beat writer Marcus Thompson describes a ceremony performed on Curry's right ankle at then-coach Mark Jackson's Los Angeles church in 2012. Curry, coming off season-ending surgery a few months prior, had just sprained the ankle in a preseason game ahead of the 2012-13 campaign:

Curry, two days removed from his latest sprain, found himself taking laps with Jackson and the other members filled with the spirit. Then after Jackson’s sermon, his wife and co-pastor, Desiree, continued the worship with an impromptu sermon and benediction. She also called Curry to the altar.

They took off his shoes and socks, anointed his ankle with oil and prayed for healing. The parishioners lifted their voices in chants and amens, calling on God to bless one of His Christian ambassadors. Service at Jackson’s church was much more passionate and engaging than Curry was used to back in Charlotte. But he humbly accepted the blessing that was being offered and returned to his seat with a smile on his face.

Since the benediction, Curry has enjoyed a run of outstanding resilience, playing in all but 16 regular-season games and eight playoff games for the Warriors the past five years - with ankle injuries accounting for but a fraction of those absences.