Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry exited the game during the final minute of a 104-100 loss to the Houston Rockets on March 15, 2024. Curry was seen limping to the locker room after suffering a right quad contusion. The team has announced that he will undergo an MRI to assess the injury’s severity.
Coach Steve Kerr expressed relief that the injury was not more severe, stating, “When I heard it was a quad, I was actually relieved. Better than an ankle or a knee.” The injury occurred amid a series of collisions during the fourth quarter, most notably when Curry attempted to take a charge against Rockets guard Amen Thompson. A collision resulted in Curry being called for a blocking foul.
Warriors Struggle in Defeat
As the game progressed, Curry continued to show signs of distress. Following another aggressive drive to the basket, he was called for a charge, a decision that Kerr challenged without success. With just 35.2 seconds remaining and the Warriors trailing by five points, Curry consulted with Rick Celebrini, the team’s lead medical decision-maker. Celebrini signaled that Curry would not return to the game, leading to his departure from the court.
The loss marked a challenging moment for the Warriors, dropping their record to 10-10 after an encouraging 4-1 start. Following the game, both Jimmy Butler III and Draymond Green criticized the team’s defensive performance. “We don’t box out,” Butler stated. “We let anybody do whatever they want—open shots, get into the paint, free throws. It’s just sad.” Despite struggling offensively, the Rockets capitalized on their size advantage, securing 25 offensive rebounds and outscoring the Warriors by 16 points in the second half.
Green voiced his frustration with the team’s current state, remarking, “Our defense is s—.” While the Warriors have a defensive rating of 112.2, ranking 10th out of 30 teams, their offensive rating of 113.2 places them at 22nd. Green emphasized the importance of mental toughness over mere statistics, saying, “Defense is about demeanor. If there’s letdown, it kills your demeanor, it kills your bravado. Then you’re just a soft team.”
Looking Ahead: Possible Impact on the Team
With Curry’s potential absence looming, the Warriors may face significant challenges in their upcoming games. Green noted, “If Steph has to miss [time], it obviously changes everything—our rotations, how we’re playing, who we are playing through.” The team will need to adapt quickly, especially with a matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans approaching.
Fortunately, there may be some positive news on the horizon. Forward Jonathan Kuminga, who has been sidelined, participated in a scrimmage on the same day and expressed hopes of returning to action for the game against the Pelicans. “We’re going to have to be damn near perfect [without Curry],” Butler warned, highlighting the importance of team performance in his absence.
As the Warriors navigate this period of uncertainty, the outcome of Curry’s MRI will be pivotal. His health will not only influence the team’s immediate strategy but will also impact their standing in the competitive landscape of the NBA.
