Warriors fans were left gutted after hearing the news they were dreading: Steph Curry won’t be suiting up for Game 5 against the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Wednesday. Golden State confirmed on Tuesday that Curry is still sidelined with a hamstring injury – his fourth straight missed game since picking up the knock in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
The timing couldn’t be worse. With the Warriors down 3-1 in the series, Wednesday’s clash is a do-or-die situation. And let’s be honest – without their star man, Golden State’s uphill battle just got even steeper, reported ABC7 News.
Curry is set to be re-evaluated on the same day as Game 5, offering a glimmer of hope for a potential return – but that would only come into play if the Dubs can extend the series to Game 6. As of now, it’s wait and see.
After the Warriors fell 117-110 in Game 4 on Monday night, coach Steve Kerr wasn’t giving anything away about Curry’s possible return. When asked about the chances of the two-time MVP making a comeback, Kerr tossed the question to his PR team with a slight grin: “When are we giving the update?” he said. “Wednesday, we’ll have an update.”
Teammate Draymond Green was a bit more candid postgame. He seemed to back the cautious approach, suggesting Curry shouldn’t rush back unless he’s genuinely ready.
“Nah, we’re not going to Superman this thing,” Green said. “If he’s in a place where he can play, I’m sure he will. Him and Rick [Celebrini] and everyone else will figure that out, but we don’t need Superman. You got to play the long game, so, if he can, we know he will. But there’s no pressure. We got to find a way to win whether he plays or not.”
That “long game” Green mentioned likely refers to the bigger picture — Curry’s health and future. But in the short term, it’s hard not to feel the sting. Golden State’s offense has looked out of sorts without him, and there’s no sugarcoating how much of a difference he makes on the floor.
So, Game 5 goes ahead without the Warriors’ heartbeat. All eyes now turn to whether the team can dig deep and force a sixth game – and maybe, just maybe, get their superstar back when it matters most.