Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is reportedly set to be sidelined for a number of weeks.
The NBA star led them to Championship success last season, and has been their shining light once more despite a stuttering start to the new campaign. But ESPN report the Warriors will have to make do without him for the near future, after Curry sustained a shoulder injury on Wednesday.
During the third quarter of their 125-119 loss to Indiana Pacers, Curry attempted to stop forward Jalen Smith who was dribbling toward the baseline. But his arm bent back awkwardly and he left the court early, and is not expected to return until 2023.
The Warriors have been handed a huge blow, as they face multiple games without star man. The Warriors are 14-15 for the season, and are two games in to a six-game visit to the east coast. They've already lost their opening two clashes, and will complete their sweep of the opposite shore without Curry.
The NBA career leader in three-pointers had 38 points on the board with a quarter remaining when the injury occurred. Curry immediately grabbed his left shoulder, with fans fearing the worst.
Curry went into the game with a sore right knee, but left the arena with a different problem. Steve Kerr was honest about how 'tough' it will be without Curry, but is optimistic their star will bounce back.
"This is a tough stretch of the season and if Steph’s out, it gets tougher for sure," Kerr said. "If we’re healthy, I feel like we can beat anybody — I think this team has proven that. We’ve just got to find a way to get there."
Curry was carrying the Warriors on Wednesday night as he attempted to dig them out of trouble, following a poor first-half. The Warriors trailed the Pacers by 20 during the interval, and did well to bring the final margin down to six.
Their main man was a huge part of their resurgence in the third, but his injury stopped an almighty comeback. "He basically put us on his shoulders for the minutes he was out there," Kerr said.
"He was getting to the line, finding other people and I thought the guys did great job of battling." Kerr will now have to make changes with Curry expected to miss a crucial period.
"Steph’s always a guy with a great outlook on life," Kerr said. "So we’re hoping for the best."
