By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After four wins in a row, the Golden State Warriors failed to keep up with the Boston Celtics especially following Stephen Curry’s injury late in the first half of Wednesday’s 2021-22 NBA Regular Season fixture.
Curry, 34, did not return due to a left foot injury picked up while diving for a loose ball. X-rays did not reveal major damage but he was sidelined indefinitely with a sprained ligament, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.
“I thought it was a dangerous play. I thought Marcus dove into Steph’s knee,” head coach Steve Kerr commented on Marcus Smart diving on Curry, “That’s what I was upset about. Lots of respect for Marcus, he’s a hell of a player, gamer, competitor. I coached him in the World Cup a few summers ago. We talked after the game, we’re good. I thought it was a dangerous play, just let him know.”
“I don’t think it was a dirty play,” added Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, “We all know that’s Marcus Smart, though, that’s how he plays, he’s gritty.”
The Warriors had already ruled out Andre Iguodala (low back tightness), Andrew Wiggins (illness), Nemanja Bjelica (illness), Gary Payton II (left knee soreness), and James Wiseman (G-League), while Moses Moody (right shoulder) left the game midway through the first quarter.
Due to the early exit, Curry was held to three points, two assists, and one rebound in 14 minutes against the Celtics. The Warriors fell to 47-23 ahead of the home game opposite the San Antonio Spurs Sunday before a key five-game road trip. They currently sit third in the Western Conference standings, one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies.
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