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Kendra Andrews, ESPN
SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will miss the next two games with a strained left peroneus and will be re-evaluated Friday, the team announced Monday.
Curry was injured during Sunday night’s home opener against the LA Clippers. In the third quarter, Curry twisted his left ankle and immediately went to the bench to be evaluated.
He returned to the game with eight minutes left in the fourth, but twisted the same ankle. He returned to the locker room limping severely and with the help of Gary Payton II and team security.
After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Curry thought his injury was “mild to moderate.” He underwent an MRI Monday morning.
“The MRI was positive,” Kerr said after Monday’s practice. “That’s the main thing. No significant damage.”
In addition to Curry, the Warriors will be without De’Anthony Melton for Tuesday and Wednesday’s games against the New Orleans Pelicans due to a back injury the team is calling right facet joint inflammation. He underwent an MRI which revealed no structural damage.
Melton missed 44 games last season with the Philadelphia 76ers due to back issues.
Andrew Wiggins is also considered questionable for Tuesday’s game because of back soreness, Kerr said. There was no specific moment when Wiggins injured his back, Kerr said, but the pain simply flared up.
Coming into the season, the Warriors were extremely confident about their depth, and now they will rely heavily on it. Without Curry and Melton, Golden State’s guard depth, in particular, takes a hit.
“I trained in the offseason to be ready to play 35 to 40 minutes every night,” guard Brandin Podziemski said. “So I’m ready for this. I know Buddy [Hield] It’s the same: he’s fast, energetic and fit too. I know Steve can count on me and Buddy.”
Kerr said he will spend the next 24 hours structuring a new starting lineup and rotation. Lindy Waters III, who Kerr told before the season started would not be in the rotation but also said he would be comfortable starting if needed, will get more playing time. Kerr also said that the team would activate Pat Spencer, who has a two-way contract.
The Warriors will also likely rely more on Draymond Green and Kyle Anderson to take on increased playmaking and ball-handling roles.
