TL;DR
- Stephen Curry suffered a right quad contusion and muscle strain against the Houston Rockets.
- Curry will be re-evaluated in one week due to his injury.
- Brandin Podziemski will replace Curry in the starting lineup against the New Orleans Pelicans.
- Podziemski will need to increase his ball-handling and playmaking duties for the Warriors.
The Golden State Warriors narrowly avoided disaster on Wednesday night.
Toward the end of the team's 104-100 defeat against the Houston Rockets, Stephen Curry moved to draw a charge from Amen Thompson and suffered the consequences shortly after. The four-time NBA champion showed clear discomfort and opted not to continue playing in the game because of what seemed to be a leg injury.
The Warriors revealed that Curry suffered a right quad contusion, which was confirmed by an MRI.
“Stephen Curry, who exited last night’s game against the Rockets due to a right quadriceps contusion, underwent an MRI late last night,” The Warriors wrote on X/Twitter. “The MRI confirmed a quadriceps contusion and muscle strain. He will be re-evaluated in one week.”
With Curry out of action, the Dubs were compelled to secure a substitute for the 37-year-old prior to their forthcoming contest with the New Orleans Pelicans.
Just prior to the game's start, the organization announced the player who would replace Curry in Golden State's initial five.
"Saturday night starters (Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, Jimmy Butler, Draymond Green and Quentin Post," the Warriors posted on X/Twitter.
Podziemski is experiencing a career-best season in terms of three-point accuracy. The Santa Clara alumnus demonstrates considerable skill when positioned on the perimeter, as demonstrated by his 39.1% success rate from beyond the arc over 20 contests.
However, in Curry's absence, Podziemski will be required to take on greater duties in terms of ball-handling and playmaking for The Dubs, a task that will prove challenging.
However, with teammates such as Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green supporting him, Podziemski won't have to shoulder the entire load, a situation that should offer reassurance to the 22-year-old guard.
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