The severity of Steph Curry's hamstring injury has profoundly impacted the Golden State Warriors star, leading to an emotional reaction as he faces the prospect of missing several crucial playoff games. In a feature article published by The Athletic on Wednesday, veteran Warriors reporter Marcus Thompson captured the poignant moment in the Dubs locker room just before halftime, shortly after Curry sustained the injury early in the second quarter.
Thompson described how Steve Kerr, the Warriors head coach for over a decade, struggled to find words to comfort Curry during this difficult moment. As tears streamed down Curry's face, Kerr could only watch in silence, fully aware of the disappointment that comes with a serious injury. "Words weren’t what Curry needed. Or what Kerr had," Thompson wrote, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation.
After receiving a supportive hug from Kerr, Curry managed to collect himself. He wiped away his tears, put on a brave face, and began uplifting his teammates. According to Thompson, Curry shared his insights on the game, demonstrating his leadership even in the face of adversity. The emotional moment did not deter the Warriors, who went on to secure a win in Game 1 despite Curry's absence.
The Grade 1 hamstring strain has taken a significant toll on both Curry and the Warriors' playoff aspirations, as the team has already ruled him out for Games 2, 3, and 4. Following the game, Kerr described Curry as "crushed," while teammate Draymond Green noted that Curry appeared "deflated." This injury comes at a time when Curry has expressed his desire to engage in "meaningful basketball," a term he uses to describe his pursuit of a fifth championship.
Throughout the playoffs, the 37-year-old Curry has conveyed his excitement for the postseason, a time he finds exhilarating despite the stress it brings to some of his fans. Therefore, the thought of being sidelined due to injury is understandably heart-wrenching for the ultra-competitive star.
This isn't the first instance this season where Curry has shown his emotional side in the Warriors locker room. Following the trade for Jimmy Butler on February 6, Curry was visibly moved, realizing the significant implications this deal had for their playoff journey, as reported by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
As the Warriors gear up for Game 2 on Thursday night at 5:30 p.m. (on TNT), the focus is clear: to win as many games as possible to give Curry a chance to return to the court. The team’s resolve in the face of this setback reflects their commitment to supporting their star player during this challenging time.
