The Golden State Warriors find themselves in a precarious position as they face elimination, trailing 3-1 in their playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves after a tough 117-110 loss on Monday night. With a must-win situation looming, the Warriors need a spark, and that spark could be none other than Stephen Curry.
Curry, who suffered a hamstring injury in Game 1, was initially expected to be sidelined for a week. However, a recent re-evaluation before Game 5 has left the door slightly ajar for his return. While the whispers of Curry stepping onto the court again are enticing for Warriors fans, it appears that hope might be dimming. Curry himself mentioned to Marc Spears that returning for Game 5 is “unlikely,” with a candid remark saying, “Even if I wanted to be Superman, I couldn’t.”
This comment nods to Draymond Green’s sentiments from after the loss, where he stressed the need for prudence regarding Curry’s potential comeback. Green made it clear that Curry won’t be playing hero unless he’s fully ready, assuring that if Curry is in a position to contribute, he certainly will.
Curry sustained the injury during a hard-fought Game 1, where he notched 13 points before exiting in the second quarter. Since his departure, the Warriors have struggled to find their rhythm, suffering three consecutive losses that have left them on the brink of elimination. The initial diagnosis was a Grade 1 hamstring injury, and while Curry was slated for re-evaluation after a week, recent developments suggest that his timeline for recovery might not align with the urgency of the playoff atmosphere.
As the Warriors gear up for Game 5 on Wednesday, the likelihood of Curry’s involvement appears minimal. This scenario puts tremendous pressure on both Green and Jimmy Butler, who faced some criticism for his passive play in Game 4. If the Warriors hope to stave off an early exit, they will need to dig deep, lean on their remaining experience, and pull together as a team.
Should they manage to force a Game 6, scheduled for Sunday, it’s conceivable that Curry could have an opportunity to make a triumphant return, provided he shows significant improvement in his recovery. That prospect would surely make for an incredible narrative, but it hinges entirely on the Warriors finding a way to persevere without their superstar on the court in the critical Game 5. The situation is tense, but in the NBA playoffs, anything can happen.
