Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) reacts to a foul called against him during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies in the first quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)
SAN FRANCISCO — Every time the Warriors get on their marks for a run, something trips them up.
Illness, injury, mistakes, pre-season punches have made the Warriors’ title defense year ugly. And now they face their biggest obstacle yet: Another prolonged Steph Curry injury.
Curry sprained a ligament in his leg on Saturday and is expected to miss at least a couple weeks at a time when the Warriors have an opportunity to springboard themselves toward the top of a jam-packed Western Conference. Can Golden State gain ground without their superstar?
They’re 7-8 this season in games without Curry — including a 6-5 record when Curry missed time earlier this year with a shoulder injury. Curry will miss a few weeks and will be re-evaluated in a few days to determine a return date, but the Warriors have to find some way to best position themselves in the standings. A few players will have a huge role in filling the gaps.
Jordan Poole
Poole will start in Curry’s place at point guard, coach Steve Kerr said on Sunday. Poole performs much better when he starts games, averaging nearly 25 points with 4.1 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30 games as a starter. He averages 14.7 points with 4.5 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 23 games off the bench. His near-32% 3-point shooting stays consistent in both roles.
Turnovers have been Poole’s kryptonite this year, especially in crunch time. His 179 turnovers rank third most behind Atlanta’s Trae Young (191) and Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards (189). The Warriors could find some stability with Poole if he can find his offensive rhythm off ball and limit those turnovers.
Klay Thompson
Klay Thompson has been one of the Warriors’ constants of late. After a dreadful October in which he shot 27% from three, Thompson is shooting 39 percent from 3 since Dec. 2 and 43% from 3 in 10 January games.
Life without Curry’s 3-point threat and can be made easier if Thompson can keep those numbers up.
Donte DiVincenzo has also become a crucial cog in the Warriors’ machine. A 26-year-old who plays like a veteran — makes the extra pass and shooting 40.4% on 4.7 3-pointers per game.
Andrew Wiggins
Wiggins was recovering from an adductor strain and an illness during Curry’s last absence. Though Wiggins hasn’t been playing like his last-season self — he’s averaging just over 12 points and shooting 25% from 3 since his return on Jan. 4 — he’s capable of taking the Warriors to another level.
In 22 games before his absence, Wiggins was shooting 45% from 3 scoring 19 points per game in 22 games. Once he gets his legs and wind back, the Warriors could use that early-season Wiggins back.
Originally published at Shayna Rubin