Stephen Curry is hobbled. However the present goes on.
Simply ask Draymond Inexperienced, who’s absolutely assured within the Golden State Warriors’ playoff probabilities despite the fact that Curry left Tuesday’s collection opener in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves due to a strained left hamstring.
The Warriors cruised to a 99–88 win regardless of dropping Curry within the second quarter.
“Robin become Batman,” Inexperienced defined. “Alfred become Robin, and so they simply crammed in. It was lovely to see.”
If the Warriors need to seize a 2–0 collection lead on the highway Thursday evening, they seemingly should 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 unencumber a lot of his teammates on the offensive finish of the court docket.
Curry was off to a terrific begin in Recreation 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 wanting to see a win.
However Curry grabbed his left leg after making a floating soar shot. He signaled towards the bench that one thing appeared unsuitable, and he rapidly left the sport and by no means returned.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr stated he was planning for Recreation 2 with out his veteran sharpshooter. Curry is anticipated to bear 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 onerous to think about that he would play Thursday.”
So, what occurs when Batman is out?
Robin will get the decision.
On this case, which means Jimmy Butler. He flirted with a triple-double in Recreation 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 Recreation 2.
Will it work? That’s the more durable query to reply.
Minnesota is a superb defensive staff regardless of exhibiting some breakdowns in Recreation 1. The Timberwolves might be determined to salvage a recreation at residence earlier than the collection shifts west, and coach Chris Finch virtually actually will draw up a recreation plan to attempt to frustrate Butler as a lot as attainable.
If Robin turns into Batman, as Inexperienced defined, then Alfred might want to fill Robin’s function. On this case, which means Buddy Hield might be requested to step up and fill a few of the void left by Curry.
Hield has proven he can deal with the additional obligations. He scored 33 factors on 12-for-15 capturing — together with 9-for-11 from 3-point vary — in Recreation 7 at Houston, and he stayed sizzling on Tuesday evening with a team-high 24 factors whereas making 5 of eight pictures from distance.
It’s cheap to suppose that Hield will cool off quickly, maybe as quickly as Recreation 2. He’s a very good shooter, however he averaged 11.1 factors in the course of the common season, and sooner or later one would suppose 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 robust collection opener by which he completed with 18 factors, eight rebounds and 6 assists.
Maybe equally as vital, Inexperienced performed with an edge however stayed cautious to not go over the sting. He should take that strategy once more Thursday, particularly if the motion intensifies and the Timberwolves attempt to beat him at his personal recreation by getting beneath his pores and skin.
It’s too quickly to know if Curry might be again within the collection and, if that’s the case, how quickly.
Don’t rely out the Warriors, although.
