The Golden State Warriors started the season like they were a NBA Champions contender. They were going really strong with Stephen Curry leading the way and he was well supported by players like Draymond Green and the returning Klay Thompson along with a bunch of role-playing youngsters.
However, things went downhill when Green got injured as they had several defensive woes. With Green coming back to fitness, the Warriors were looking good again. But then soon Curry got sidelined due to a foot injury that he picked up against Boston Celtics during a confrontation with Marcus Smart.
Curry’s absence has left a major void in this Warriors unit and has threatened their challenge for the NBA Championship this season. It is tough being a Warriors fan as they saw their shooting maestro and leader get sidelines only when their star forward return from injury.
Kevin Pelton who is an NBA expert on ESPN shares how Curry’s absence for the next couple of weeks will turn the fortunes for the Warriors. “Curry’s injury could make the next couple weeks nerve-racking for the Warriors,” said Pelton.
Pelton believes that the Warriors will lose their spot in the top three in the Western Conference standings. Losing their place from the top three will make them face the Dallas Mavericks or Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs.
“Although home-court advantage in a series against Memphis might not be a huge concern for Golden State, slipping to fourth would be. A first-round matchup against one of Dallas or Utah would be more difficult and it would put the Warriors in Phoenix’s half of the bracket,” Pelton shared.
Stephen Curry will return to action in two weeks at the earliest while there is still a possibility of staying out for the remainder of the regular season. His absence may hinder the progress of the Warriors and they may lose positions in the standing meaning they face tougher opponents in the playoffs.
Also, it disrupts the on-court chemistry and cohesion for Steve Kerr’s men. While Curry’s absence will be filled with Jordan Poole who will take up his favourable position of point guard in this Warriors lineup. But it remains to be seen if he can be a worthy successor of the shooting maestro. With Green holding the defensive shape, Klay Thompson also needs to find his form in Curry’s absence. So the Warriors can still be lethal without their talisman but it will be a major challenge for them.
