Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

Golden State Warriors sweating on Stephen Curry after disastrous trip to Indiana

By Peter O'Keefe

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors grimaces after being hurt in the third quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 14, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors grimaces after being hurt in the third quarter of the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on December 14, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors will be sweating on an MRI of Stephen Curry’s left shoulder amid a disastrous start to their six-game road-trip. The franchise cornerstone and two-time MVP left Wednesday’s game against the Indiana Pacers late in the third-quarter, failing to return as the Warriors fell 125-119.

Curry had been producing a virtuoso display in his near 30 minutes before departure, recording 38 points, seven rebounds and seven assists on 11-for-19 shooting. But while the undermanned Warriors battled in the fourth-quarter in his absence, they couldn’t overcome a defining second-quarter meltdown.

A two-and-a-half minute stretch proved the difference between the Golden State Warriors and Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Wednesday.

From a 47-40 Indiana advantage with 5:30 left in the second period, the Pacers went on a staggering 16-2 run to extend their lead to 21 with three minutes to play in the half. Curry led a revival in the third as Golden State closed the margin to six, but they were never able to overcome the deficit despite getting it to a one-possession, three-point ball game with just over a minute remaining.

Golden State were already without Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson, then, only to pour salt on the Curry injury, Draymond Green found himself ejected after two technical fouls early in the fourth. It meant the Warriors closed the final minutes with an inexperienced unit of Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, Moses Moody, Jonathan Kuminga and JaMychal Green.

Rising point-guard Tyrese Haliburton proved too good though with 29 points and six assists to lead the Pacers, while impressive rookie Benedict Mathurin had 24 points off the bench. Indiana shot 16-for-39 (41%) from three-point range as the Warriors’ defense provided little resistance for the second-straight night, following a 128-111 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.

Next. Golden State Warriors legend honoured in NBA awards unveiling. dark

The Warriors will happily take the loss if it means Curry avoids significant injury. With the reigning champions once again below .500 at 14-15, any lengthy absence for their superstar could prove fatal to their hopes of repeating . For now, they’ll be up against it once again when they head to Philadelphia for a date with the 76ers on Friday.

Home/Warriors News