![\"Steph](\"https:\/\/www.mercurynews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/11\/BNG-L-WARRIORS-1126-25.jpg?w=457\")
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The Golden State Warriors finally exhaled on Wednesday night.<\/p>\n
Behind a dominant 111\u201385 victory<\/strong> over the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/span><\/span><\/strong>, the Warriors earned their first win since losing Jimmy Butler<\/span><\/span><\/strong> to a season-ending ACL injury. It was a much-needed result for a team teetering on the edge of offensive collapse \u2014 and once again, it was Stephen Curry<\/span><\/span><\/strong> who steadied the ship.<\/p>\n After the game, Curry delivered a message that resonated through the locker room and the fan base alike: as long as he is on the floor, the Warriors still believe they can win.<\/p>\n That belief, however, comes with growing concern.<\/p>\n Curry\u2019s presence in the lineup was never guaranteed. Before tipoff, he was listed as questionable after experiencing an unusual flare-up in his knee following Golden State\u2019s previous loss to the Dallas Mavericks<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. The discomfort reportedly surfaced during a workout, leaving the Warriors facing a difficult decision.<\/p>\n Despite the uncertainty, Curry chose to play.<\/p>\n Throughout the game, there were moments that made Warriors fans uneasy. Curry was seen walking gingerly on multiple occasions, and at one point, an opposing player stepped on his toe, adding another layer of discomfort. None of it forced him to the bench \u2014 but it was a reminder of how fragile Golden State\u2019s margin for error has become.<\/p>\n At 37 years old, Curry is no longer the indestructible engine of a decade ago. Every awkward step, every grimace, carries far more weight than it once did.<\/p>\n Following the win, Curry spoke candidly about the situation during his postgame press conference, offering cautious optimism but no guarantees.<\/p>\n \u201cIf everything goes well, yeah,\u201d Curry said when asked if he expects to play the second night of the back-to-back. \u201cWith recovery and all that between the night, the minutes weren\u2019t crazy. So hopefully, you respond well.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n He went on to explain how the issue surfaced.<\/p>\n \u201cKind of something flared up yesterday when we came over to get a workout in. It was super weird. I\u2019ve had stuff going on \u2014 quads and whatnot \u2014 but it was something that I hadn\u2019t felt before,\u201d Curry said. \u201cSo I definitely took advantage of the day off to get right, but hopefully that continues.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The comments underscored both Curry\u2019s toughness and the uncertainty surrounding his availability moving forward.<\/p>\n Despite the physical concerns, Curry delivered exactly what the Warriors needed on the court. He finished the night with:<\/p>\n 26 points<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 7 assists<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 4 steals<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 2 rebounds<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n He shot 7-for-18<\/strong> from the field (38.9%) and 3-for-10<\/strong> from three-point range (30.0%), numbers that hardly tell the full story of his impact. His movement, gravity, and leadership fueled a Warriors offense that has struggled to generate reliable scoring since Butler\u2019s injury.<\/p>\n On the season, Curry is averaging 27.3 points<\/strong>, 5.0 assists<\/strong>, and 3.7 rebounds<\/strong>, while shooting 46.8%<\/strong> from the field and 39.8%<\/strong> from beyond the arc \u2014 elite efficiency for a player shouldering this much responsibility at his age.<\/p>\n The uncomfortable truth for Golden State is this: without Curry, there is no offensive safety net.<\/p>\n With Butler done for the year and Jonathan Kuminga<\/span><\/span><\/strong> also sidelined due to a knee injury \u2014 one that revealed hypertension and a bone bruise on his left knee \u2014 the Warriors are dangerously thin. Kuminga is set to be re-evaluated in the coming days, but his absence further compounds the pressure on Curry.<\/p>\n If Curry were to miss extended time, Golden State would be left without a reliable primary creator. The offense would stagnate. Spacing would collapse. Opponents would load the paint without fear.<\/p>\n In short, the season would likely unravel well before the playoffs begin.<\/p>\n That reality places the Warriors in a precarious position. They need Curry \u2014 desperately \u2014 but they also cannot afford to overextend him.<\/p>\n The second night of a back-to-back against the Timberwolves presents a classic dilemma. Minnesota, now on a five-game losing streak<\/strong> and sitting at 27-19<\/strong>, will be far more desperate to respond. The Warriors, meanwhile, must decide whether short-term competitiveness outweighs long-term survival.<\/p>\n Given Curry\u2019s age, recent discomfort, and the physical toll he absorbed in this game, there is a strong possibility Golden State opts for caution.<\/p>\n While Curry\u2019s official status remains to be determined, the prudent move would be to hold him out of the rematch. Even with Curry on the floor, Golden State is not built to dominate right now. Without him, they are vulnerable \u2014 but losing him to a more serious injury would be catastrophic.<\/p>\n Tonight\u2019s win improved the Warriors\u2019 record to 26-21<\/strong>, offering a brief sense of relief. But the bigger picture remains unchanged. Golden State\u2019s season hinges almost entirely on the health of one 37-year-old superstar.<\/p>\n The Warriors survived tonight because Curry played through discomfort.<\/p>\n They may need to survive tomorrow by protecting him instead.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Stephen Curry Pushes Through Knee Issue as Warriors Find Hope After Blowout Win The Golden State Warriors finally exhaled on Wednesday night. Behind a dominant 111\u201385 victory… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":145506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-145505","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\nCurry Played Through Discomfort \u2014 Again<\/h3>\n
Curry Addresses Knee Issue Postgame<\/h3>\n
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Carrying the Load \u2014 Again<\/h3>\n
![\"Lakers-Warriors:](\"https:\/\/s.hdnux.com\/photos\/01\/16\/65\/30\/20665867\/4\/rawImage.jpg\")
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Golden State\u2019s Offensive Reality<\/h3>\n
The Balancing Act Ahead<\/h3>\n
Likely Outcome: Rest Over Risk<\/h3>\n