Curry Out with Knee Pain
The Golden State Warriors have confirmed that star point guard Stephen Curry will be unavailable for the upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. This decision comes as a result of bilateral knee pain, specifically patellofemoral pain, which has prompted the team to rule him out for the matchup.
Injury Updates and Team Status
In addition to Curry's absence, Draymond Green also missed practice recently but has not been listed on the injury report for the game. Meanwhile, Jonathan Kuminga has returned to practice after recovering from an illness, and Coach Steve Kerr noted that Kuminga appeared to be in good form.
Recent Performance and Challenges Ahead
Curry played 29 minutes in the previous game against the Brooklyn Nets, contributing 28 points and seven assists. However, the Warriors have faced challenges recently, having lost three out of their last five games after a strong 10-2 start. This upcoming game against the Thunder, who currently have a record of 13-4, marks the beginning of a challenging stretch for the Warriors, which includes matchups against other competitive teams like Phoenix and Denver.
Coaching Decisions
Coach Steve Kerr indicated that the decision to rest Curry was made after a consultation with the team's Director of Sports Medicine and Performance, Rick Celebrini. Kerr emphasized the importance of allowing Curry to recover adequately, especially with a busy schedule ahead. He mentioned that the team will need to adjust their lineup in Curry's absence, encouraging other players to step up during this time.
Curry's Season Performance
Despite the current setback, Curry has been a key contributor for the Warriors this season, averaging 22.4 points, 6.5 assists, and 5.4 rebounds in the team's 12-5 start. His experience and leadership will be missed as the Warriors navigate their upcoming games.
