The Golden State Warriors suffered more than just a loss in the NBA standings on Wednesday evening when they were defeated by the Boston Celtics, 110-88. Their rest of season outlook changes drastically because Stephen Curry will be sidelined indefinitely.
Curry suffered an injury to his left foot when Marcus Smart dove for a loose ball and landed on him as well. The injury occurred in the second quarter of the game and the entire team and coaching staff took exception to what Smart did.
Head coach Steve Kerr was fuming in the seconds following the play and after the game as well. He had some sharp words for Marcus Smart after the game as well. While no one is saying Smart is a dirty player, Kerr was not fond of how dangerous of a play that it was.
“I thought it was a dangerous play,” Kerr said. “I thought Marcus dove into Steph, and that’s what I was upset about. A lot of respect for Marcus. He’s a hell of a player, a gamer, a competitor. I coached him in the World Cup a few summers ago. We talked after the game and we’re good. But I thought it was a dangerous play.”
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It was good that the two cleared the air after the game, but this injury certainly hurts. Golden State was just starting to feel good again as Draymond Green had returned to the lineup on Monday after a lengthy layoff.
With their Big 3 finally back in the lineup together, things were looking up. Unfortunately, now, they will be without Stephen Curry for the foreseeable future.
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Marcus Smart, who finished the game with 20 points, eight assists and four rebounds and one steal, commented on the play after the game as well. He knows what may come as a result of the play, but stands by his play as someone who hustles and leaves it all out on the court.
“I saw the ball, I dove for the ball, trying to make a play,” Smart said. “Unfortunately that occurred.”
“I’m sure I’m going to get called dirty. But I know who I am. … I play very hard and I leave everything on the court. … My teammates, my colleagues, they know I’m not a dirty player.”
It was an unfortunate turn of events, as Smart does look like he was just hustling, what he does on a nightly basis. But, there is sometimes a line that doesn’t need to be crossed, especially in a regular-season game.
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The NBA has implemented rules protecting players who are landing on jump shots, calling them flagrant fouls. While this wasn’t a jump shot, it is in the same vein as something that was likely unnecessary. That is as far as Green would go when talking about it.
“I’d expect Marcus Smart to make that play. He plays hard,” Green said. “I can’t call that a dirty play. As unfortunate as it is … maybe unnecessary, but that’s the most I can call it. Unnecessary. But I can’t call it a dirty play. The ball is on the floor. At every level of basketball we are taught to dive on the floor and go after the ball. That’s what Marcus did. So I can’t call it a dirty play. I will say it was probably an unnecessary dive.”
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Stephen Curry was diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his left foot that will sideline him indefinitely. He is a huge blow to the Golden State Warriors, who have been among the best teams in the NBA when at full strength this season.
Without Curry, Jordan Poole will likely take over Curry’s spot in the starting five and Green will be the nominal point guard as the table-setter. Thompson and Andrew Wiggins will be asked to carry more of the scoring load as well.
