The Golden State Warriors are navigating a critical juncture in their playoff push as Stephen Curry continues to recover from a pelvic bruise sustained during last week’s win over the Toronto Raptors. According to The Athletic’s Anthony Slater, Curry will miss Tuesday’s highly anticipated matchup against the Miami Heat, marking his second straight absence.
While head coach Steve Kerr remains optimistic about Curry’s return for Friday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Warriors will need to lean on their depth to maintain their momentum.
Curry’s injury was the result of a hard fall while driving to the basket against Toronto, causing him to land directly on his tailbone. Although an MRI revealed no structural damage, the team has opted to exercise caution, especially after Curry reported discomfort during a workout on Monday.
Kerr explained that the decision to keep Curry out was based on a minor setback during his recovery process. “At the very end of the workout, just one movement that he made just didn’t quite feel right,” the head coach said during a press conference.
A bad indicator towards the last stretch
This marks the first time Curry has missed multiple consecutive games this season, as he has largely remained healthy, sitting out only 11 games prior to this injury. His absence creates a significant challenge for the Warriors, who have climbed to sixth place in the Western Conference standings and are striving to avoid the play-in tournament. With the Los Angeles Clippers just one game behind, maintaining their current position is crucial.
Tuesday’s game against the Heat holds additional significance, as it marks Jimmy Butler’s first return to Miami since being traded to Golden State in February. The addition of Butler at the trade deadline has bolstered the Warriors’ offense, providing another scoring threat to complement Curry’s leadership.
However, with Curry unavailable, Kerr will rely on Brandin Podziemski and Buddy Hield to shoulder the load in the backcourt. As the Warriors aim to secure their playoff spot, the team’s ability to adapt without their star guard will be tested.
While Curry remains the driving force behind their offense, Butler’s presence has proven valuable in keeping the team competitive during his absence. All eyes will be on Friday’s matchup against the Pelicans, where Curry’s return could provide the spark Golden State needs to close out the regular season strong.
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