Stephen Curry sent fans and those within the Golden State Warriors into a panic on Sunday, limping off the floor at open practice just days out from the team's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Fortunately it was just a false alarm with Curry expected to play on Wednesday, but the early fears provide a reminder of just how fragile the Warriors' season already is, and how reliant they are on their 38-year-old Stephen Curry.
Stephen Curry injury concern exposes how fragile Warriors' season is
There were early reports that Curry may have reagravvated the right knee injury that saw him miss 27-straight games last season, having been diagnosed with runner's knee as an issue he'll likely need to manage going forward.
Yet Steve Kerr confirmed shortly after that it was an ankle, not knee injury, for Curry, bringing a sigh of relief to fans and those within the organization. The head coach also revealed on Monday that the 2x MVP got through practice, and that he's set to play against the Lakers.
Obviously this is good news for Golden State, but it serves to reiterate the perilous nature of their position on the eve of the season. Already without Jimmy Butler, Kristaps Porzingis and Moses Moody, the Warriors will become simply a bad basketball team and have little chance at making the playoffs if Curry was to miss any reasonable chunk of time.
That's why any potential Curry injury will come with an even bigger breath hold than usual, knowing full well it could completely destroy a Warriors season that many, particularly outside the fanbase, already hold little expectations for.
Warriors failed to provide any Stephen Curry insurance during free agency
This is why it was important for Golden State to land their pursuit of LeBron James in free agency. Not only would signing the four-time MVP have drastically improved their ceiling, but it would have also raised the Warriors' floor and provided some insurance for when Curry inevitably misses time.
After missing out on James who headed to the Philadelphia 76ers, Golden State won't have that, at least not until Butler returns from injury in January or February. An offense without Curry and Butler might run through Brandon Williams which, despite his strong impression during preseason, is a scary thought given the 26-year-old had to wait so long for a contract in free agency.
The Warriors appear to have got away without any damage this time around, yet it's warning of what could be in store when Curry inevitable faces another injury concern as the season progresses.
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