NEW YORK – In a stunning blow to the Golden State Warriors’ already fragile playoff hopes, veterans Al Horford and Seth Curry both suffered setbacks during the team’s 127-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, forcing them out of the game early. MRIs conducted immediately after the contest delivered the bombshell news: Horford has a mild left calf strain, while Curry is dealing with a left abductor strain.
Both players will be reevaluated in one week, meaning they are officially sidelined for at least the Warriors’ next five games. The injury timelines could stretch even longer, especially for Horford.
This season has been nothing short of a nightmare for the two veterans when it comes to availability. Horford already missed seven straight games earlier with a sciatic nerve issue and has sat out 23 games total due to the team’s strict load-management policy that keeps him off the floor for both ends of back-to-backs. Now, with this new calf strain, head coach Steve Kerr made it clear the organization will be extremely cautious. “Because it’s a calf, we’re not rushing anything,” Kerr said, signaling that Horford’s return could take significantly longer than the initial one-week check-in.
Seth Curry’s situation is equally heartbreaking. He had already missed a staggering 40 consecutive games with his own sciatic nerve problem and had only just returned, appearing in just four games all season before this latest injury struck. The abductor strain came at the worst possible moment for a player who was finally starting to find his rhythm.
Encouraging injury updates offer a silver lining
Despite the double blow, the Warriors received some positive health news as they prepare for their upcoming matchup against the New York Knicks — a game they will play without eight players.
Draymond Green is expected to return against the Washington Wizards after missing the last two games with lower back soreness. Joining him in D.C. will be Kristaps Porzingis and De’Anthony Melton, both of whom are being held out of the Knicks contest purely for health management but are set to suit up against Washington.
On a brighter note, Moses Moody is on track to return from his right wrist sprain sometime during this current six-game road trip. Perhaps most uplifting of all, Stephen Curry traveled with the team for the first time since being sidelined by his runner’s knee issue, a clear sign he is progressing well even if he isn’t playing yet.
Warriors fighting for their playoff lives
The latest injuries could not have come at a worse time. At 32-34, Golden State has already slipped past the Los Angeles Clippers in the standings and now sits in danger of being overtaken by the Portland Trail Blazers for the ninth seed. The next five games — all part of this critical six-game road trip — will essentially decide whether the Warriors can still sneak into the play-in tournament or watch their season slip away.
With Horford and Seth Curry now joining a lengthy list of unavailable players, the Dubs must find a way to weather the storm and keep their slim playoff hopes alive.