NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry diagnosed with grade one hamstring injury
The Golden State Warriors will likely need to force at least a game six to see the return of superstar Stephen Curry against Minnesota.
Premier NBA sharpshooter Curry injured his hamstring during the Warriors’ game one triumph over the Timberwolves on Wednesday (AEST), souring a sensational 99-88 start to their Western Conference semifinal series.
The 11-time All-Star will be counting his blessings after an MRI on Thursday revealed a simple grade one strain of his left hamstring.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.However, it is still likely to see him benched for up to 10 days, meaning he is almost certain to miss games two, three, four and potentially five of the series against rising star Anthony Edwards and his Wolves teammates.
A series sweep could see Curry available at the start of the Conference final.
The 37-year-old exited the clash in Minneapolis with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter, having clutched at the injury in discomfort multiple times.
He had 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-6 on three-pointers at the time of leaving the game.
The Warriors survived a scare during their first-round series against No.2 seed Houston after fellow star Jimmy Butler fell hard and left the court with a hip complaint, only to be cleared of serious injury.
But now the Warriors will be a superstar short, adding strain to a squad that has already been playing every second day for the best part of a week, with their series triumph over the Rockets taking seven games.
Conversely, the six-seed Wolves took down LeBron James and the LA Lakers in their first round with two matches to spare, entering the semifinal stage in raring form.
Curry averaged 24.5 points, 6.0 assists, 4.6 rebounds per game and 39.7 per cent three-point shooting in his 16th NBA season and has gelled well with Butler since the guard moved across from Miami Heat.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry was “crushed” by the injury.
“He’s obviously crushed, but the guys picked him up and played a great game,” he said post-match.
“Obviously, we’re all concerned about Steph, but it’s part of the game. Guys get hurt, you move on.”
