NBA Predictions 2011: Stephen Curry's Injury Dooms Warriors to a Slow Start

Stephen Curry's injured ankle puts the Golden State Warriors behind the eight-ball before the season even starts. Curry rolled his ankle in the team's second and final preseason game.

The injury is of particular concern given that it was on his the right ankle, which had previously been surgically repaired.

There is hope that Curry would be ready for the season opener on Christmas, but that is not looking good.

Curry's Injury Progress

The young point guard is at least putting weight on his ankle, but he has not taken to the practice court.

Given that Curry says he has to be 100-percent to play makes it a severe longhshot that he will be ready for the Warriors' first game on Sunday.

It is possible that Curry could miss the first week of the season.

Early Schedule

The Warriors have four games in their first week. They will play at the Suns, Spurs and Lakers before their first game at home against the Jazz on January 7th.

In this shortened season, every game is important. An 0-4 start would put this team in a huge hole that would be hard to climb out of. And that could be the reality they are facing without Curry.

Impact of Curry's Absence

Curry is going to pair with Monta Ellis to give this team an explosive backcourt and the strength of their team.

This is going to be a potent one-two punch that is capable of scoring points in bunches. In Curry's absence, the Warriors offense will be crippled.

Charles Jenkins and Ishmael Smith will share point guard duties while Curry is out. Smith averaged just 2.3 points in 10.3 minutes per game with the Rockets and Grizzlies. Jenkins is in his first year out of Hofstra.

This leaves the Warriors' point guard duties in remarkable inexperienced hands. That is a rough way to start the season—especially given that their first three games are on the road. 

Curry's ankle needs to heal quick, or this team is going to be 0-4 before they blink.