A recent left ankle sprain for Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry hearkened back to some earlier struggles with ankle issues. Though the severity is not yet known, the incident has served to remind everyone just how important Curry’s health is to the team having success and has brought up questions about his longevity.
Then there’s the fact that Curry’s ankle has always been a question mark-one that’s followed him since his early NBA days. Through his first few seasons in the league, Curry missed significant time due to recurring ankle sprains, one that at the time significantly threatened his career trajectory. In 2011, he had surgery to repair ligaments in his right ankle, and in 2012 he required another procedure. These different types of injuries even brought questions as to whether he could have a viable career. Curry’s eventual transformation is the result of the point guard’s resilience and dedication to conditioning, working tirelessly with the Warriors’ training staff to strengthen his ankles and improve his overall stability. Adding to that, he also wears specialized ankle braces that helped minimize further sprains over time.
Despite these adjustments, this current injury to Curry is serious in light of his vital importance to the Warriors. He is an exceptional shooter with extended range, complemented by exceptional speed in ball movement and the ability to create plays for himself and teammates, remaining key to the Warrior offense. Without him, they often fall out of their rhythm. Thus, his health becomes important to any playoff run or championship hopes that they may have.
In the short term, during the course of a few games that Curry might have to sit out, the Warriors probably need to switch things up. Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, and Draymond Green will have to elevate their game to replace the lost offense, and the Warriors may adopt a more plodding, grind-it-out style of offense sans Curry. The younger guys, like Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody, might also get their chances to expand their roles, building experience that will take some loads off Curry.
Over the long haul, if it takes him much longer to get over this injury completely, the Warriors might even reconsider their strategy with his minutes of play and be letting him rest often in the future in some games to prevent wear and tear. At 35 years of age, Curry is in the last stretch of his career, and the Warriors need to handle him with utmost care to preserve his health for key games and playoff runs.
Beyond his skillset, Curry’s presence lends an invaluable psychological boost to the Warriors. Being one of the notable leaders and energy guys, missing him may eventually drain team morale. But this roster, which the Warriors have built with several years of Curry’s presence, has a core of players resilient enough to show heart in his absence.
What it points out, though, is that while Curry’s recent ankle sprain doubtlessly reminded him of the vulnerability he faces, it was at the same time an opportunity to develop habits that will serve both the Warriors’ future and his own. The balancing act between immediate moves and long-term strategies will keep their star player fit and competitive for seasons to come.
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