The Golden State Warriors breathed a collective sigh of relief on Friday following a promising update on Steph Curry’s ankle injury.
While an official update from the team is anticipated on Saturday, a source confirmed to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Monte Poole that the Warriors received “positive news” from Curry’s MRI scan. The expected timeline for his return is approximately 7 to 10 days.
Dr. David E. Oji, MD, from Stanford Medicine, elaborated on the injury and potential rehabilitation process in an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area.
According to Dr. Oji, Curry’s injury appears to be on the milder side, given the swift projected return to the court. The star guard rolled his ankle late in Thursday night’s game against the Chicago Bulls and was visibly hampered before heading to the locker room for evaluation.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported on Friday that the MRI results showed no structural damage. The timetable for Curry’s return will be determined by how his ankle responds in the coming days.
Addressing concerns about Curry’s age—set to turn 36 next week—Dr. Oji emphasized that age shouldn’t hinder his recovery, given the stability of his ankle. He noted that Curry’s age and experience in the league should facilitate a successful healing process.
Despite officially ruling Curry out of Saturday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, sources cited by The Athletic’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater expressed optimism that his absence would be brief. This optimism is grounded in the positive response to Curry’s ankle overnight.
While the news is encouraging for Warriors fans, caution is paramount as the team navigates Curry’s return to the court. Dr. Oji stressed the importance of a comprehensive evaluation by the medical team to ensure there are no underlying issues and that Curry’s strength and stability are maintained.
With just 20 regular-season games remaining, the Warriors, currently in ninth place in the Western Conference, are aiming to secure a playoff spot. As Curry progresses through his rehabilitation, the team will prioritize his health and well-being to ensure he returns to action safely and swiftly.