© Cary Edmondson-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND — Oracle Arena hummed a little louder with No. 30 back and healthy on Friday night. After a six-game absence due to a right ankle injury, Stephen Curry had returned, a sight for celebration among the Warriors faithful.
For the majority of the opening three quarters, Curry was his typical brilliant self in Golden State’s 106-94 win. The two-time NBA MVP scored 29 points late in the third quarter, with 40 in his sights.
Then the same horrifying image that has haunted the Warriors resurfaced: Curry limping off the floor.
Javale McGee had fallen backwards onto Curry’s left leg. As Curry limped toward the Golden State bench, Oracle Arena exhaled a deep groan, having seen this same sight, albeit on his right leg, the last time Curry had played more than two weeks prior.
After Curry made it the the sidelines, he sat in a chair, hunched over, his head tilted downwards for nearly a minute. After another couple of minutes passed, he exited the floor and headed to the locker room.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Warriors declared Curry’s injury as a left knee strain. He will reportedly undergo an MRI on Saturday, according to ESPN.
While the Warriors boast three additional All-Stars, Curry is the masterful conductor of the offense that few teams, if any, can match. Curry’s presence dictates everything, whether it’s offensive flow, passing, or spacing.
Curry has run into ankle troubles throughout the season. He missed 11 games earlier this season, then missed another six straight prior to Friday night’s game. During the past couple weeks, Golden State’s health has taken precedence over game results. Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, and Omri Casspi also sat out Friday night’s game due to injury. All four players are expected to return before the playoffs.
Until Curry’s timetable is known, the nightmarish site of him hobbling off the court, then disappearing into the tunnel will haunt Warriors fans.
For the limited time it lasted, Curry’s return was marvelous as expected.
It took the Warriors the opening quarter to find an offensive flow, however. Curry was 1-6 from the floor in the first quarter. Golden State shot 29.2 percent, while the Hawks were slightly better at 34.6 percent.
Curry settled down in the second period, finding pockets in Atlanta’s defense for pull-up jumpers. Two consecutive Curry jump shots and a Nick Young three-pointer cut Atlanta’s lead to eight with fewer than five minutes remaining in the second quarter. Curry scored 11 points in the quarter, imbuing life into a previously stagnant Golden State offense.
The third quarter featured prime Curry. He launched and connected and flexed and ignited the Golden State crowd into delirium. Curry poured in 16 points in the third period before his night was over once McGee fell on Curry’s leg.
The game’s outcome immediately took a backseat to Curry’s status, but the Warriors remained focus and delivered. Stingy defense and steady ball movement leading to open looks extended the Warriors lead as the fourth quarter progressed. Golden State outscored Atlanta 27-20 in the final period, securing a 106-94 victory.
It was a solid win clouded by another Curry injury.
