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3 Golden State Warriors who can thrive in Stephen Curry’s absence

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Jordan Poole #3 after Wiseman scored against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 14: James Wiseman #33 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Jordan Poole #3 after Wiseman scored against the Denver Nuggets during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on October 14, 2022 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors will be without their superstar and franchise leader Stephen Curry for at least the next three weeks, with the two-time MVP having suffered a labrum injury in his left shoulder against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday.

Attempting to replace Curry will be an unenviable and impossible task for the Warriors and head coach Steve Kerr, and they may need to reinvent themselves if they wish to keep themselves competitive in a tight Western Conference.

The Golden State Warriors will need a raft of players to step up should they wish to alleviate the loss of Stephen Curry over the next month.

The major issue is that the Warriors have little wiggle room in which to work with — holding a 14-15 record despite Curry’s MVP-level brilliance. Coming off his maiden Finals MVP, the 34-year-old has averaged exactly 30 points on a remarkable 50% shooting and 43.4% from three-point range. He’s also added 6.6 rebounds and 6.8 rebounds as he continues to be the hub of everything Golden State do.

An ageless Stephen Curry has continued to lead the Golden State Warriors until his untimely injury. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
An ageless Stephen Curry has continued to lead the Golden State Warriors until his untimely injury. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

Replacing Curry’s production cannot be left to one particular player, with the Warriors needing increased output from every player should they wish to at least hang around the play-in mix. Golden State recalled rookie Patrick Baldwin Jr. from the G League at the start of the week, and have now done the same with this year’s second-round pick Ryan Rollins, and most notably third-year center James Wiseman.

It means Kerr now has access to all 13 of the Warriors available players — their 14 contracted players minus Curry, Andrew Wiggins and Andre Iguodala, plus two-way players Anthony Lamb and Ty Jerome.

While everyone will have to elevate their play in Curry’s absence, there’ll be some players who will get increased opportunity in which to do so. Let’s look at three players who can thrive in the wake of Curry’s unfortunate injury.

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