Golden State Warriors Steph Curry is listed as out for Game 5 Wednesday against the Minnesota Timberwolves (9:30 p.m. ET, TNT).
That’s tough news for the Warriors, who trail the Timberwolves 3-1 in the best-of-7 Western Conference semifinals series.
Curry sustained a grade 1 left hamstring strain in the first half of Game 1 against the Timberwolves and missed the next three games. The team said they would re-evaluate Curry in one week, which is Wednesday.
The average time missed for a grade 1 hamstring is approximately 10 days, according to certified athletic trainer Jeff Stotts, who maintains a comprehensive database of NBA injuries. That puts Curry’s projected timeline to return this weekend.
There is a chance Curry could return for Game 6 on Sunday, but that means the Warriors need to win Game 5 on the road.
The Warriors issued a statement Wednesday saying that Curry has been re-evaluated: ‘The re-evaluation indicated that Curry is making progress in his recovery. He has been cleared to participate in light on-court workouts, including shooting drills. He will be re-evaluated again on Sunday.’
Curry, 37, is an 11-time All-Star and the premier offensive threat for the Warriors, and his availability carries massive implications for Golden State’s playoff hopes.
Is Stephen Curry playing tonight for the Warriors?
The Warriors ruled Curry out for Game 5 Wednesday on official injury reports that are turned into the league office multiple times throughout the day.
How did Stephen Curry get injured?
Curry exited Game 1 in Minneapolis with 8:19 remaining in the second quarter. He had been grabbing at his left hamstring area multiple times in the period, and after Warriors forward Draymond Green made a 3-pointer and Minnesota called timeout, Curry left the game with the Warriors leading 30-20.
Before leaving the game, Curry had 13 points on 5-for-9 shooting, including 3-for-6 on 3-pointers. After his last made shot, he motioned for Warriors coach Steve Kerr to sub him out, and Brandin Podziemski checked in as Curry headed to the locker room.
“Obviously we’re all concerned about Steph, but it’s part of the game,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Guys get hurt, you move on.”
Who will start in Curry’s absence?
The Warriors were 7-5 without Curry during the regular season and now 0-3 without him in the playoffs. Post-trade deadline, Moses Moody, Quinten Post and Gary Payton II had chances to start. In Curry’s absence in Game 1, Kerr went with Payton to start the second half.
Trayce Jackson-Davis started Game 3 and Game 4, and Quinten Post started Game 2.
‘Every year, the playoffs are about adapting whether it is a game plan or an injury or lineup,” Kerr said. “We just have to adapt. We have done this before, and we are confident we can do it again.”