Stephen Curry Injury: Updates on Warriors Star's Ankle and Return

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry suffered an ankle injury against the Houston Rockets in the second quarter of Game 1 of their first-round playoff series on April 16. After briefly returning to start the second half, he exited the contest again and did not return. Despite missing Game 2 and Game 3, he is ready to return 

Continue for updates.

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Latest on Curry's Playing Status 

Sunday, April 24

The Warriors announced Curry is available to play against the Rockets on Sunday afternoon.

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Curry Comments on Injury

Sunday, April 24

"I like where I'm at right now," Curry told reporters on Saturday.

On Friday, Curry told reporters he would be "very" surprised if he was unable to play in Game 4. 

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Myers Comments on Curry's Playing Status, Injury

Wednesday, April 20

While speaking with 95.7 The Game, Warriors general manager Bob Myers said the team will likely decide on Curry's playing status in the shootaround rather than making it a game-time decision.

Myers also confirmed Curry suffered an ankle injury, saying, "What's the distinction [between] the foot and the ankle? I dunno, the ankle's part of the foot. It was a sprained ankle."

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Curry Undergoes Testing

Tuesday, April 19

The Warriors announced Curry underwent an MRI Tuesday that didn't reveal "anything of concern" and that Curry will continue to be treated ahead of Game 3.

On April 18, head coach Steve Kerr told reporters "I don't know" and then "both" in regard to whether Curry was dealing with either a foot or ankle injury. 

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Curry Doesn't Return After 2nd Exit

Saturday, April 16

Originally, Curry had his ankle examined and went into the locker room before the end of the first half, per Thompson. Ann Killion of the San Francisco Chronicle noted the star had an apparent limp before his exit.

Diamond Leung of the Bay Area News Group reported Curry had his ankle retaped before his return after the half.

AJ Neuharth-Keusch of USA Today noted he played just under three minutes at the start of the half before heading back to the locker room. Curry would have his ankle taped again in the third quarter, per GSW Stats. 

Curry had 24 points and six rebounds in the first half. Though he did not return, the Warriors held a sizable lead throughout the second half en route to a 104-78 win. It is possible Curry was kept on the bench for precautionary reasons.

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Curry No Stranger to Ankle Issues

Since he has become one of the best players in the league, it's easy to forget how concerned Warriors fans were about Curry's health during his first few years in the league. Especially after he had ankle surgery in 2011, there were major questions about whether Curry's body could hold up in the NBA.

After missing 40 games in the lockout-shortened 2011-12 season, the 28-year-old went on to miss a total of 10 combined games over the next three years. It's a transformation almost as astounding as Curry's improvement on the court.

So much of Golden State's strength comes from its collective cohesion and incredible depth. If opposing teams focus on eliminating Curry—which is nearly impossible—they have to worry about Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and even Harrison Barnes to a certain extent.

Still, Curry is the team's engine, and nobody else on the Warriors is capable of pulling up from a little under 40 feet out and nailing a game-winner:

Curry was the most important piece on a squad that won 73 games, and the Warriors need him healthy to repeat as champions.