UPDATE: Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has left the game with a significant injury. In a nail-biting finish to a 104-100 loss against the Houston Rockets on November 29, 2023, Curry hobbled off the court in the final minute with a right quad contusion. An MRI is scheduled to determine the extent of the injury, raising concerns for the Warriors as they struggle to maintain their momentum.
Curry’s injury occurred during a series of intense fourth-quarter collisions. The 35-year-old was attempting to take a charge on Rockets guard Amen Thompson when he was struck by an elbow, leading to a blocking foul call against him. Just moments later, he drove into the lane for a layup, resulting in a charge that was not overturned after Warriors coach Steve Kerr challenged the call.
With just 35.2 seconds left on the clock and the Warriors trailing by five, Curry consulted with Rick Celebrini, the team’s lead medical decision-maker. Celebrini signaled to the bench, confirming Curry would not return for the night. Kerr expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “If Steph has to miss [time]? It obviously changes everything—our rotations, how we’re playing, who we are playing through. We’ll see.”
This injury comes at a critical juncture for the Warriors, who are now 10-10 after starting the season with a promising 4-1 record. Post-game, both Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green criticized the team’s defensive performance, with Butler stating, “We don’t box out… it’s just sad,” highlighting the team’s struggle to maintain discipline.
Despite the Rockets shooting only 39% from the field, they dominated the boards, securing 25 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Warriors by 16 points in the second half. Green did not mince words, declaring, “Our defense is s—,” emphasizing the need for a shift in team demeanor and effort.
Looking ahead, the Warriors could face significant challenges if Curry’s injury sidelines him for any length of time. Forward Jonathan Kuminga is nearing a return, having scrimmaged earlier today, but the team will need to perform exceptionally well without their star player. Butler warned, “We’re going to have to be damn near perfect [without Curry]. We aren’t going to have the ultimate bailout on our team.”
As the Warriors assess Curry’s injury, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the MRI results, which will determine the team’s direction as they prepare for their next matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans. The urgency surrounding this situation cannot be overstated, as the Warriors aim to regain their footing in a competitive Western Conference.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation develops.
