Stephen Curry expects to play in the Golden State Warriors’ high-stakes regular-season finale after an early injury scare in Friday night’s 103-86 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
The two-time MVP briefly exited in the first quarter after jamming his right thumb on Justin Minaya’s knee while creating space. He was visibly shaken up, immediately shaking his hand before heading to the locker room for X-rays.
“From what I know, just an aggravation,” Curry told reporters postgame. “The same thing [as the earlier thumb injury], but hopefully it wasn’t anything serious. I just know it hurts right now, but I’ll be all right.”
Latest on Stephen Curry’s Injury Before the Golden State Warriors Reach the Postseason
The X-rays came back negative, and Curry returned midway through the second quarter. He finished with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists in just under 30 minutes of action and was able to rest the entire fourth quarter with the Warriors in control.
Curry had previously played through a thumb issue in January without missing significant time.
Friday’s win keeps the Warriors (47-34) in position to avoid the play-in tournament. Their final game Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center will decide their seeding fate in the Western Conference.
Golden State can clinch the No. 6 seed outright with a win. A loss, combined with wins by the Minnesota Timberwolves (vs. Jazz) and Memphis Grizzlies (vs. Mavericks), would drop the Warriors into the play-in as the No. 7 seed.
The Clippers (48-33) also have everything to play for — a win secures them the No. 5 seed.
Tipoff between the Warriors and Clippers is scheduled for Sunday evening in what could be a playoff-caliber battle with seeding on the line and Curry ready to go.
