The need to win is slowly but surely consuming the Golden State Warriors. The optimism of having things under control is soaring high within the team, but a sense of panic seeped into Dubnation after two back-to-back losses. So a win against the Dallas Mavericks tonight was a must and the team looked locked in. As per usual, franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry led the way with 21 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. However, minutes into the third quarter, DubNation met with their worst nightmare. 

In the third quarter, Mavs star McKinley Wright IV dribbled toward the paint, while Curry rushed to stop Wright’s rhythm. Amid this sequence of play, Wright came in contact with the four-time NBA champion’s knee. This collision resulted in Wright falling on the paint while Curry ran to the sidelines. The two-time MVP limped back to the court and looked in pain.

He first held his knee, then his calf. He later limped toward the bench while talking to Rick Celebrini, the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance. Moments later, Curry struggled to walk through the tunnel and back to the locker room. According to Kerith Burke of NBCS, “…Xrays on Steph’s left leg were negative. An MRI will follow.” 

Dubnation pray for Stephen Curry

Warriors fans gathered in worry as their star winced in pain. They rushed online to share their thoughts. Fans used a series of profanities to express their agony while many stated that their campaign of defending the championship title was coming to end. Some claimed that the injury looked terrible and prayed for the best.

Here are some of the reactions from NBA Twitter:  

the end is near 😈

— 𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐞 (@ronniefrom38th) February 5, 2023

That looks bad too smh . Hopefully he’s alright

— J 🇯🇲🇻🇨 (@jayfrombklny) February 5, 2023

Can the Golden State Warriors win without their leader?

In the game against the Denver Nuggets, Curry hurt his leg. Hence, before this game, his name was on the list of injuries. Kerith Burke reported via Twitter that the nine-time NBA All-Star was listed as “probable with a lower left leg contusion”.

As seen in videos, he wore a “compression garment” on his left leg. As fans wait for an update, the Warriors did manage to bag a win against a Luka Doncic-less Mavericks. They won by 5 points in the end. In December, Curry spent time off the court due to a shoulder subluxation. In his absence, the Warriors triumphed at home. Hence, the blueprint to win without Curry on the court is a tried and tested one, but the situation is one that fans and players never want to be in. 

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Do you think the Warriors can win without Stephen Curry? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.