Following an MRI on Saturday, it has been revealed that Stephen Curry sustained a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee during Friday’s game against the Hawks, and will be re-evaluated by the Warriors in three weeks, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. Curry could return near the start of the playoffs, which are scheduled to begin on April 14.
Steph Curry suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee, league source tells ESPN. He will be re-evaluated in three weeks. He could return near start of playoffs. All in all, good news for the Warriors.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 24, 2018
The Grade 2 sprain is worse than the Grade 1 sprain Curry suffered during the 2016 postseason that knocked him out for 15 days, and forced him to miss time during the first and second rounds. Curry’s play upon return seemed somewhat diminished for the remainder of the postseason. A Grade 2 sprain typically comes with a timetable of 4-6 weeks.
Because of a logjam in the Western Conference playoff standings, the Warriors could conceivably face the Jazz, Thunder, Wolves, Spurs or Pelicans in the first round of the postseason. All five teams are currently separated by just two and a half games. If they playoffs started today, the Warriors would face the Wolves (42-31) in the 2-7 matchup.
This likely makes backup point guard Quinn Cook a lock to make the Warriors’ postseason roster. With 10 regular season games remaining and Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green all dealing with injuries of their own, expect Steve Kerr to play the Warriors’ stars sparingly down the stretch.