OAKLAND, Calif. — Stephen Curry could miss two weeks of the playoffs due to the right knee sprain he suffered in Game 4 against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, according to the Warriors.
An MRI exam conducted Monday revealed a Grade 1 sprain of the medial collateral ligament that is considered to be mild. No mechanical or stability issues with the knee were discovered, and no surgery would be needed, according to Warriors general manager Bob Myers.
It was “relatively good news” to Myers, who even left open the possibility the reigning MVP could return sooner than the next scheduled reevaluation in two weeks.
Myers said historically with a Grade 1 MCL sprain it would take a player in the range of two to three weeks to return to basketball activities.
“We took to be honest an educated guess because it’s unclear as to whether a player’s ready in two weeks or three or later or sooner,” Myers said.
“That’s no guarantee that will be in two weeks. It might be after two weeks, it might be before. But I think it’ll be somewhere in that range hopefully.”
Curry is out for Game 5 against the Rockets on Wednesday, with the Warriors leading the first-round series 3-1 and looking to close it out at Oracle Arena. Curry is expected to miss the remainder of the series given that at the latest it would be finished Sunday.
The Western Conference semifinals could also begin as early as Sunday, so if the Warriors advance, he could miss games against the Los Angeles Clippers or Portland Trail Blazers.
“Thanks 4 all the prayers &messages,” Curry tweeted. “Can feel all the positive energy. God is Great! All things considered I’m Gonna be alright! #DubNation.”
The Warriors are exploring treatment options for Curry. Myers said he would know more in a week after the NBA’s top scorer responds to resting and icing the knee, which also has inflammation on the outside of it after it hit on the floor at the Toyota Center.
Curry suffered the sprain on the final play of the first half when he slipped on a wet spot on the court and saw his knee buckle. He warmed up before the start of the second half with the intention of playing before realizing it couldn’t be done.
The Warriors, whose motto is “Strength in Numbers,” proceeded to turn a tied game at halftime into a 121-94 victory.
“He embodies what’s good about athletes, what’s good about the NBA,” Myers said of Curry. “And when you see someone you know what they love to do they’re not capable of doing, there’s a sadness, right? That’s what I felt for him, and I think his teammates showed how much they cared with how they played.
“They believe in themselves. I believe in them. The coaches do. We’re lucky we have the group that we have. It’s one of the best groups of players I’ve ever seen as far as people. They’ll come together, and they’ll do whatever they can to meet that (championship) goal.”
Shaun Livingston started in place of Curry in the two games Curry missed due to a tweaked right ankle. Ian Clark served as the reserve point guard while Andre Iguodala also spent time handling the ball.
The Rockets also saw their starting point guard leave Game 4 in the second quarter as Patrick Beverley suffered a right leg strain, and it’s unclear if he will play in Game 5.
Curry’s timetable is uncertain, too.
“If it’s not two weeks, don’t go crazy,” Myers said. “If it’s before, that’d be great. If it’s after, it’s after.”
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