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Kendra Andrews, ESPNOct 28, 2024, 03:56 PM ET
SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will miss the next two games with a left peroneal strain and will be reevaluated on Friday, the team announced Monday.
Curry sustained the injury during Sunday night’s home opener against the LA Clippers. In the third quarter, Curry twisted his left ankle and immediately went to the bench to be assessed.
He checked back into the game with eight minutes remaining in the fourth but twisted the same ankle. He walked back to the locker room with a severe limp and with assistance from Gary Payton II and team security.
After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry thought his injury was “mild or moderate.” He underwent an MRI on Monday morning.
“The MRI was positive,” Kerr said after practice on Monday. “That’s the main thing. No significant damage.”
In addition to Curry, the Warriors will be without De’Anthony Melton for games Tuesday and Wednesday against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a back injury the team is calling a right facet inflammation. He underwent an MRI which revealed no structural damage.
Melton missed 44 games last season with the Philadelphia 76ers because of back problems.
Andrew Wiggins is also considered questionable for Tuesday’s game with a back strain, Kerr said. There wasn’t a specific moment Wiggins hurt his back, Kerr said, but rather soreness just flared up.
Through the early portion of the season, the Warriors have been extremely confident about their depth, and now they will rely on it heavily. With no Curry and Melton, Golden State’s guard depth, in particular, takes a hit.
“I trained myself during the offseason to be ready to play 35 to 40 minutes on any given night,” guard Brandin Podziemski said. “So I’m ready for that. I know Buddy [Hield] is the same way — he’s fast, energetic and in shape too. I know Steve can rely on me and Buddy.”
Kerr said he would spend the next 24 hours structuring a new starting lineup and rotation. Lindy Waters III, whom Kerr told ahead of the start of the season wouldn’t be a part of the rotation but also said would be comfortable starting if needed, will get more playing time. Kerr also said the team would activate Pat Spencer, who is on a two-way contract.
The Warriors will also likely rely more heavily on Draymond Green and Kyle Anderson to take increased playmaking and ball-handling roles.
