Steph Curry defends Celtics' Marcus Smart after 'dirty play'
Steph Curry is hopeful he will play in Game 1 of the NBA playoffs after spraining his ankle, while also defending the player who injured him.
The Warriors has his sights set on a playoff return, but he also bears no ill will towards Marcus Smart, the player who injured him
Steph Curry could return for Game 1 of NBA playoffs
On Wednesday last week, The Golden State Warriors were definitely fearing the worst when star guard Steph Curry was forced off of the court due to injury, in what would turn out to be a blow out loss to the Boston Celtics. Though MRI's would later confirm that it was a sprained ligament and not structural damaged as was first thought, there was no official timeline for a return and as such expectations were that Curry would miss the playofs. A week later and it now seems, that Curry could return as soon as Game 1 of the playoff which are scheduled to begin on April 16th
Speaking after yet another disappointing loss for the Warriors on Sunday - this time to the San Antonio Spurs - Curry said he believes he'll be good to go for Game 1 of the playoffs. "Yeah, I think I've got enough time for that, but I'm an optimist." Curry then gave more detail as to his current situation, explaining that for the moment he is unable to perform on his feet, however, he has been using weights in order to maintain activity. At present Curry is also wearing a walking boot, but is hopeful that he can return to the court next week, should things progress well. "That two weeks is kind of marked to know how it's healing," Curry said. "From what I'm told just in terms of the ligaments around the injury and the bone that's kind of underneath there, you want to not rush the beginning phases of healing. Because that's where you get the most progress, so that when you do put the shoe back on, get back on the court, get reps you're not dealing with crazy soreness or anything."
Steph Curry defends Celtics' Marcus Smart
When the dust had settled on Wednesday night gone, there was a considerable amount of critique surrounding Celtics' guard Marcus Stewart's role in the play that led to Curry's injury. Smart who dove for a lose ball collided with the Warriors star's leg, effectively pinning his foot under his body. At the time, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr who was infuriated by the play, could be seen in a heated exchange with Smart. For Curry, however, there was no foul play. "He didn't try to hurt me," Curry said. "There's a certain way that he plays that I don't think many other people would have made the play that he did. But I don't think it was malicious or dirty or trying to hurt me. It was kind of just a tough situation. Just the way he plays there's a conversation of should he or shouldn't he have, but it wasn't like he looked at me and was like 'I'm trying to hurt that dude.' It's basketball."
What do the Warriors do now?
As has been the case for the last few seasons, The Warriors fortunes are inexplicably tied to the availability and form of Steph Curry. If they are to make yet another run to the NBA playoff finals, they will most definitely need their main man. As things stands, it appears that Curry will in fact be ready, however, whether or not he will be able to hit the ground running is another question. Curry's game is one that depends heavily on his quickness of movement as he constantly probes for shot openings. Can he still perform at his normal level, having suffered an ankle injury? Watch this space.