Stephen Curry’s Grade 1 hamstring strain was the nail in the coffin for the Golden State Warriors in the postseason.
The Warriors escaped with a commendable Game 1 Western Conference semifinals victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, points were hard to come by for most of the series, resulting in an unsurprising second-round exit.
After the Dubs’ 2024-25 campaign concluded, head coach Steve Kerr made an essential announcement on Curry’s playoff setback.
“It’s of Kerr’s belief the schedule was a significant factor to blame (for Curry’s injury),” Yahoo Sports’ Tom Haberstroh wrote last Friday. “It was Curry’s third playoff game in five days, with travel in between all three games.”
“With the season on the brink, Kerr leaned on the two-time MVP for 42 minutes in Game 6 in San Francisco and a game-high 46 minutes in Game 7 in Houston (Rockets). And then they traveled again, jetting up to Minnesota.”
While the NBA likely won’t adjust the playoff schedule moving forward, Kerr has a valid point.
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Being an aging superstar and receiving minimal rest after helping the Warriors defeat the Rockets in an exhilarating seven-game series spelled doom for the standout point guard.
Perhaps a more extended recovery period would have prevented Curry’s lower-body injury and improved the Warriors’ odds of advancing to the Western Conference Finals.
Unfortunately, the Dubs will remain in ‘what if’ world until the 2025-26 season begins.
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