SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors’ start to the season had been a dream.
It turned into a nightmare midway through the second half of their home opener Sunday.
Fighting through a screen late in the third quarter of their 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, Steph Curry appeared to roll his left ankle. He immediately hobbled to the Warriors’ bench, where he took a seat and received treatment before returning to the game at the 8:07 mark of the fourth quarter.
However, Curry lasted only 13 seconds and one offensive possession before appearing to aggravate the injury while setting a screen. He limped off the court with an even more noticeable gait than before and made a beeline for the tunnel to the locker room.
According to the Warriors, Curry suffered a left ankle sprain. He will undergo an MRI later Sunday night.
The initial indication, according to coach Steve Kerr, was that he avoided the worst-case scenario.
“He’s doing OK,” Kerr said after the game. “I think he used the word mild or moderate. He’s obviously sprained that ankle many times before. He doesn’t think it’s too bad. But obviously it’s a concern.”
Curry’s ankles caused him problems early in his career, but he underwent corrective surgery and has been one of the league’s most durable and reliable superstars since entering the league in 2009. He has appeared in 959 of a possible 1,209 games most notably missing the bulk of the 2020-21 season with a broken hand.
Curry, 36, had 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting (4-for-7 from 3) in 27 minutes before leaving the game with a wince on his face. Helping the Warriors outscore their first two opponents by an NBA-record 77 points, Curry averaged 18.5 points in their two season-opening wins over the Blazers and Jazz.
Facing a step up in competition in their home opener, Curry was forced to watch the bulk of the fourth quarter against the Clippers from the locker room. He initially attempted to nurse his ankle on the bench with exercise bands but did not return after heading into the tunnel with 7:55 to go.
At that point, the Warriors faced a 10-point deficit, 95-85, and pulled within one, to 101-100, with 3:47 left but weren’t able to get any closer.
What now, if their leading scorer, spiritual leader and franchise icon is forced to miss time?
“I don’t know,” Kerr said, but the first option to come to mind was Andrew Wiggins, who scored 11 of his team-high 29 points during Curry’s absence in the fourth quarter and is averaging 19.7 in their first three games. “Wiggs is off to a great start. Had a big night tonight. He’s an obvious candidate to get the ball to more. We’ve got a deep team. We’ve talked about it. We’ve got a lot of guys who can play. We’ll be ready.”
