The Golden State Warriors got some bittersweet news Monday regarding reigning MVP Steph Curry.
The good news is the MRI on Curry's right knee revealed no structural damage, meaning he should still be able to return at some point during these playoffs. The bad news is Curry has a Grade 1 MCL sprain, and will be shelved for at least two weeks - after which he'll be re-evaluated. There's no telling what the team's playoff fortunes will look like if and when he returns.
Curry sat out two games after suffering an ankle injury in Game 1 of the Warriors' first-round series against the Houston Rockets, but returned for Sunday's Game 4. He then injured his knee slipping on a wet patch of court on the last play of the first half.
The Warriors went on to win the game in convincing fashion anyway, taking a commanding 3-1 series lead, with Game 5 going back at Oracle Arena on Wednesday. Even without Curry, the Warriors should be able to hold off the Rockets, who'd need to win three straight (including two in Golden State) to swing the series.
The second round, though, could be another matter.
The Warriors went 73-9 this season, but they were still outscored when Curry was on the bench. He's played just 38 minutes this postseason, but the team was 17.5 points per 100 possessions better in those minutes than they've been otherwise.
In 5 games without Curry this season, Warriors average 10.2 fewer PPG & have been outscored by an average of 1.4 PPG pic.twitter.com/aDKp1uNcwo
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2016
Golden State may well be able to beat the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers without their superstar point guard. But it certainly won't be a cakewalk.
