Stephen Curry came up hobbling after scrambling for a loose ball late in the 4th quarter of Game 3.
• Complete coverage: 2022 NBA Finals
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, who suffered an apparent left leg injury in Game 3 of the 2022 Finals, will be ready to go for Game 4 on Friday (9 ET, ABC).
Curry sounded certain he would suit up for Game 4, telling reporters Thursday: “I’m going to play. That’s all I know right now.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he also expects Curry to play as Golden State looks to even up the best-of-seven series, 2-2. Golden State will not practice today, Kerr said, and will instead use the day between games to give players who log high minutes (such as Curry) rest and injury treatment.
"I'm going to play." @StephenCurry30 pic.twitter.com/9r6f6MUvPu
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 9, 2022
Ker said the Warriors will not practice today, and will use today more as a recovery day instead. Guys who haven't played high minutes will get some shots up, but big minute-load players — clearly including Curry — will just get treatment.
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) June 9, 2022
Steve Kerr said the Warriors expect Stephen Curry to play tomorrow. Said he didn't have an update beyond that.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) June 9, 2022
The Warriors’ last chance at a comeback victory in Game 3 ended with 3 1/2 minutes left on Wednesday night during a scramble that, like the game, went Boston’s way. Marcus Smart grabbed the ball, and the Celtics held on to beat Golden State 116-100 and take a 2-1 lead in the series.
One game after the Warriors manhandled Boston to tie the championship series 1-1, the Celtics pushed back — coming away with a 47-31 edge in rebounds and a 52-26 advantage on points in the paint, and leaving Curry with a sore leg.
Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Curry did not need an MRI for his injury.
There is optimism today on Warriors star Stephen Curry’s status for Game 4 of the NBA Finals vs. Boston on Friday, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. It appears Curry won't need MRI, has avoided major issue with his left foot, and will attend Golden State's afternoon practice.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 9, 2022
Curry said the injury was similar — “but not as bad” — as the one he sustained when Smart rolled on his ankle during a regular-season meeting in San Francisco in March. Kerr criticized that play as “dangerous.”
Curry said Thursday the injury is similar to the one he suffered toward the end of the season and he feels comfortable in terms of dealing with the pain and treatment necessary to play through it.
Curry said because this foot injury is similar to what happened near the end of the season, he had a good idea of what to expect pain-wise & what to do treatment-wise.
"There's comfort knowing I've been here before, but obviously would rather I don't have to deal with it."
— Kendra Andrews (@kendra__andrews) June 9, 2022
The two-time NBA MVP said Wednesday was not bad enough to keep him from Game 4 on Friday night.
“I’ll see how it responds. I don’t feel like I’ll miss a game, though,” Curry said. “Take advantage of these next 48 hours to get ready.”
Game recap: Celtics 116, Warriors 100 (Boston leads series, 2-1)
Golden State trailed by as many as 18 points in the first half, but it was a 12-point Boston lead with about four minutes left when Jayson Tatum missed a jumper from the foul line. The rebound was batted around and three Celtics and as many Warriors went to the floor trying to secure the basketball.
During the scramble, Celtics center Al Horford landed on Curry’s leg. Warriors forward Draymond Green said he heard his teammate scream in pain, and that’s why he pulled Smart away — defending Curry, but picking up his sixth foul.
“I saw him getting dove on and that was about that. So I picked up my foul pushing off him because he’s screaming at the bottom of the pile,” Green said. “ I’ll take the foul. I’m going to get him off his legs, though.”
Curry remained on the floor while Green chewed out the referee.
“He said I dove on somebody. Stephen got his legs dove on. I just asked, ‘Is that not the same thing?’” Green said. “He told me it wasn’t the same thing.”
Curry remained in the game but, after the teams traded baskets to leave Boston ahead by 14 points, Kerr emptied his bench. Curry finished with a game-high 31 points.
Isiah: Warriors 'on the ropes' heading into Game 4
“The injury didn’t force him out of the game, but I took him out down 14 with two minutes left because we weren’t going to catch up,” Kerr said, adding that he didn’t have any more information to share about the injury. “We will know more” Thursday.
Green was credited with setting the tone in Golden State’s Game 2 victory with nine points, seven assists, five rebounds and a technical foul — and very nearly another. But he finished with just two points and four rebounds on Wednesday.
“I was soft,” Green said, also using an expletive to describe his play with his 5-year-old son sitting next to him at the postgame podium.
Could off court distractions be impacting Draymond Green?
“When you allow a team to get comfortable, especially in their home — in front the home crowd, then it’s tough,” Green said. “We’ll 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.
