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Kevin Durant’s injury could have unlocked peak Stephen Curry

By Tony Pesta

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in a 129-110 win over the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 26: Stephen Curry #30 and Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors in a 129-110 win over the LA Clippers during Game Six of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 26, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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While fans of the Warriors might have held their breath when Kevin Durant injured himself in Game 5 versus Houston, this injury might have unlocked peak Stephen Curry.

The Golden State Warriors managed to secure a Game 5 victory over the Houston Rockets, despite losing Kevin Durant to an apparent right calf injury. It will be tough moving forward without the two-time finals MVP, but this move may have unlocked the full potential of their other MVP, Stephen Curry.

It was a truly frightening sight watching Durant limp off of the court while holding his lower leg. It appeared to be such a familiar sight that we have seen abruptly end the careers of many NBA legends. Luckily, it looks as if this injury won’t be too severe as it is initially being labeled as a left calf strain.

However, the Warriors didn’t know this was the case at the time of the game being played. For all Curry knew, this would be the start of a very challenging journey to the NBA Finals. One that would require him to take the reigns and lead this Warriors team by himself once again.

Before Durant joined the Dubs, this was undoubtedly Curry’s team. With back to back amazing seasons, Curry became a two-time league MVP and helped change the game of basketball. It only made sense that his numbers would dip once a superstar presence like Durant joined the team.

As a result, many fans of Curry have been begging for a chance to see him play as the focal point of the offense once again. In the fourth quarter of Game 5, we got to finally see this dream become a reality.

Heading into the second half, Curry was shooting just 4-for-13 from the floor and had only 9 points. As soon as Durant suffered his injury, Steph shifted into overdrive. In the final 14 minutes of the game, Curry shot 4-of-9 from the field and racked up 16 points (25 total).

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This surge from Steph was all we needed to see to know that a big performance could be looming in the near future. This injury to Durant might have unlocked a dormant beast inside Stephen Curry.

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