Stephen Curry is hobbled. However the present goes on.
Simply ask Draymond Inexperienced, who’s totally assured within the Golden State Warriors’ playoff possibilities despite the fact that Curry left Tuesday’s sequence opener in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a strained left hamstring.
The Warriors cruised to a 99–88 win regardless of shedding Curry within the second quarter.
“Robin was Batman,” Inexperienced defined. “Alfred was Robin, and so they simply crammed in. It was lovely to see.”
If the Warriors wish to seize a 2–0 sequence lead on the street Thursday evening, they probably must shuffle their starring roles as soon as once more.
The unique Batman is Curry, in fact. He averaged 24 factors per recreation within the Warriors’ first-round win in opposition to the Houston Rockets, and he drew consideration from defenders that helped release a lot of his teammates on the offensive finish of the court docket.
Curry was off to a fantastic begin in Sport 1 at Minnesota. He had 13 factors in his first 13 minutes, and the Warriors constructed an early result in subdue a Timberwolves crowd that was desperate to see a win.
However Curry grabbed his left leg after making a floating leap shot. He signaled towards the bench that one thing appeared improper, and he rapidly left the sport and by no means returned.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated he was planning for Sport 2 with out his veteran sharpshooter. Curry is predicted to endure an MRI on Wednesday to be taught extra concerning the severity of the damage.
“We don’t know but,” Kerr stated. “However with a hamstring, it’s arduous to think about that he would play Thursday.”
So, what occurs when Batman is out?
Robin will get the decision.
On this case, meaning Jimmy Butler. He flirted with a triple-double in Sport 1 as he completed with 20 factors, 11 rebounds and eight assists in 41 minutes.
Butler loves the highlight. He has performed together with being Robin to Curry’s Batman this season, however everybody is aware of that he’s an alpha at coronary heart. Search for him to attempt to take management in Sport 2.
Will it work? That’s the more durable query to reply.
Minnesota is a good defensive group regardless of exhibiting some breakdowns in Sport 1. The Timberwolves will likely be determined to salvage a recreation at residence earlier than the sequence shifts west, and coach Chris Finch nearly definitely will draw up a recreation plan to attempt to frustrate Butler as a lot as doable.
If Robin turns into Batman, as Inexperienced defined, then Alfred might want to fill Robin’s position. On this case, meaning Buddy Hield will likely be requested to step up and fill a number of the void left by Curry.
Hield has proven he can deal with the additional duties. He scored 33 factors on 12-for-15 taking pictures — together with 9-for-11 from 3-point vary — in Sport 7 at Houston, and he stayed scorching on Tuesday evening with a team-high 24 factors whereas making 5 of eight photographs from distance.
It’s affordable to assume that Hield will cool off quickly, maybe as quickly as Sport 2. He’s shooter, however he averaged 11.1 factors through the common season, and in some unspecified time in the future one would assume he would regress to the imply.
Inexperienced left himself out of the Batman description, however clearly he’s the villain in any present. He had a powerful sequence opener during which he completed with 18 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists.
Maybe equally as essential, Inexperienced performed with an edge however stayed cautious to not go over the sting. He must take that strategy once more Thursday, particularly if the motion intensifies and the Timberwolves attempt to beat him at his personal recreation by getting below his pores and skin.
It’s too quickly to know if Curry will likely be again within the sequence and, if that’s the case, how quickly.
Don’t depend out the Warriors, although.
