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Stephen Curry limped after struggling for a loose ball late in the 4th quarter of Game 3.
• Full Coverage: 2022 NBA Finals
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who sustained an apparent left leg injury in Game 3 of the 2022 Finals, will be ready for Game 4 on Friday (9 ET, ABC).
Curry appeared confident he would qualify for Game 4, telling reporters Thursday, “I’m going to play. That’s all I know at the moment.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he also expects Curry to play while Golden State looks to level the best-of-seven series 2-2. Golden State won’t practice today, Kerr said, instead using the day between games to give rest and injury treatment to players logging high minutes (like Curry).
“I will play.” @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/9r6f6MUvPu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 9, 2022
Ker said the Warriors would not practice today, instead using the day more as a recovery day. Guys who haven’t played high minutes will get some shots up, but big minute-loading players – clearly including Curry – will be dealt with easily.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) June 9, 2022
Steve Kerr said the Warriors expect Stephen Curry to play tomorrow. Said he had no update beyond that.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) June 9, 2022
The Warriors’ last chance for a comeback win in Game 3 ended Wednesday night 3 1/2 minutes from time during a scramble that went to Boston like the game. Marcus Smart grabbed the ball and the Celtics held on to beating Golden State 116-100 and taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
A game after the Warriors mishandled Boston to level the championship streak 1-1, the Celtics were pushing back — coming away with a 47-31 lead in rebounds and a 52-26 point advantage in the color, leaving Curry behind with a sore leg.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Curry didn’t need an MRI for his injury.
There is optimism today regarding the status of Warriors star Stephen Curry for Game 4 of the NBA Finals against Boston on Friday, sources say @TheAthletic @Stadion. It appears Curry won’t need an MRI, has avoided major problems with his left foot and will attend Golden State’s afternoon practice session.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 9, 2022
Curry said the injury was similar – “but not as bad” – to the one he sustained when Smart rolled onto his ankle during a regular-season meet in San Francisco in March. Kerr criticized this piece as “dangerous”.
Curry said Thursday the injury was similar to the one he sustained towards the end of the season and he was comfortable dealing with the pain and the treatment needed to play through it.
Curry said because this foot injury is similar to what happened towards the end of the season he had a good idea of what to do in terms of pain and treatment.
“It’s comforting to know I’ve been here before, but obviously I’d prefer not to have to deal with it.”
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) June 9, 2022
The two-time NBA MVP said Wednesday wasn’t bad enough to keep him from Game 4 on Friday night.
“I’ll see how it reacts. However, I don’t feel like I’m missing a game,” Curry said. “Use the next 48 hours to get ready.”
Game Review: Celtics 116, Warriors 100 (Boston leads streak, 2-1)
Golden State trailed by as much as 18 points in the first half, but it was a 12-point lead for Boston when Jayson Tatum missed a jumper from the foul line. The rebound was slapped around and three Celtics and as many Warriors went down to secure the basketball.
During the scramble, Celtics center Al Horford landed on Curry’s leg. Warriors forward Draymond Green said he heard his team-mate scream in pain and that’s why he pulled Smart away – he defended Curry but recorded his sixth foul.
“I saw him dive and that was it. So I caught my foul by pushing him off me because he’s yelling at the bottom of the stack,” Green said. “I’ll take the foul. But I will get him off his feet.”
Curry stayed on the floor while Green chewed up the ref.
“He said I was fooled by someone. Stephen got his legs up. I just said, ‘Isn’t that the same thing?'” Green said. “He told me it wasn’t the same.”
Curry stayed in the game, but after teams traded baskets to leave Boston 14 points clear, Kerr emptied his bench. Curry finished the game with a game-high 31 points.
Isiah: Warriors “on the ropes” on the way in Game 4
“The injury didn’t put him out of the game but I took him out with 14 points two minutes from the end because we didn’t want to catch up,” Kerr said, adding that he had no further information to share about the injury. “We will know more” Thursday.
Green was credited with setting the tone in Golden State’s Game 2 win with nine points, seven assists, five rebounds and one technical foul — and nearly one more. But he finished Wednesday with just two points and four rebounds.
“I was soft,” Green said, also using an expletive to describe his play with his 5-year-old son, who sat next to him on the podium after the game.
Could off-pitch distractions affect Draymond Green?
“When you allow a team to be comfortable, especially at home – in front of a home crowd, it’s tough,” said Green. “We will be better. I’ll be better. Come out win Game 4. Go back 2-2.”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.