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Stephen Curry’s return won’t hurt Golden State Warriors in NBA Lottery

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on February 10, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors warms up before the game against the Miami Heat at Chase Center on February 10, 2020 in San Francisco, California. 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. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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Could the Golden State Warriors odds in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery fall due to Stephen Curry’s return for the last 18-ish games?

The Golden State Warriors have their superstar two-time MVP Stephen Curry returning in the near future, and many fear that his return could hurt the Warriors chances in the draft lottery. Curry is slated for a March 1 return.

Stephen Curry is undoubtedly one of the NBA’s best point guards. He is an instant game-changer, and his presence will help spark the Golden State Warriors, the last team in the NBA with under 15 wins.

Curry has been out since the fourth game of the season. During that infamous outing, Curry fell hard after driving into Suns’ center Aron Baynes. He’s been out every since, missing most of the Warriors short stint with D’Angelo Russell.

Curry was diagnosed with a broken left hand. Although he may have nerve damage, Curry’s game likely won’t be impacted too much from this injury. What could be impacted though is the Warriors’ odds in the upcoming NBA Draft Lottery?

After all, Curry has spearheaded the Warriors to five straight NBA Finals. While he likely won’t bring the same intensity, Curry will, at the very least, make the Warriors a much better team than the Spurs or Timberwolves, a few teams bringing up the bottom of the Western Conference.

However, will the 12-win Warriors be able to gain ground on the Cavaliers, Knicks and Hawks, all Eastern Conference teams with under 20 wins?

Those teams have 15, 17 and 17 wins respectively and if the Warriors end with a better record than those three, they’ll see their chances at the No. 1 overall pick slip.

But, with only 20 games remaining and Curry’s return still about a week away, there isn’t too much to worry about. It’s doubtful they win five more games than either the Knicks or Hawks to round the season out.

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That said, Golden State can fearlessly unleash the beast and let fans enjoy the presence of Curry.

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