Stephen Curry’s Status for NBA Finals Game 4

Stephen Curry looked hobbled after going down with a foot injury late in the Warriors’ Game 3 loss on Wednesday night, but all indications are that he’ll play in Game 4. With Golden State now down 2-1 in the series, all eyes are on the two-time MVP’s status moving forward.

Curry Went Down After a Scramble for the Ball

Warriors fans saw their season flash before their eyes with about four minutes left in Game 3, when Al Horford landed on Curry’s leg while diving for a loose ball. Curry stayed down in pain for about 15 seconds and didn’t look comfortable on the court until he was pulled from the game with about two minutes remaining and the Warriors’ chances just about gone.

It was revealed after the game that Curry was dealing with a foot injury, and Curry himself sounded alarm bells when he likened the injury to the one he suffered against the Celtics in March. That night, it was Marcus Smart who landed on Curry’s foot, resulting in a sprain that kept the 8-time all-star out for the final 3+ weeks of the regular season. The Warriors went just 1-6 in their first seven games after the injury, and Steve Kerr brought Curry off the bench at the start of the playoffs to ease him back into the lineup. Still, Curry made sure to say the injury was “not as bad” as the previous one and expressed optimism that he would be able to play in Game 4.

What’s Curry’s Status Going Forward?

Curry said Thursday that he’ll be ready for Game 4, a statement echoed by Kerr. Curry said he was in “decent pain” after Game 3 and was reportedly walking around with a limp, but Chris Haynes reported that Curry “didn’t have much of a limp at all” when he arrived at TD Garden on Thursday.

Kerr said in his press conference Thursday that he fully expects Curry to play in Game 4, adding that he hadn’t spoken with his point guard since Wednesday night. The Warriors didn’t hold a formal practice on their day off, so Curry might not get a chance to test out his foot until Game 4 warumps.

Working against Curry is the quick turnaround between games. Games 3 and 4 are separated by only one off day, while every other pair of games is separated by two. This was the wrong time for any star to suffer an injury, even if it’s a minor one. The Warriors are under intense pressure to win Game 4 and avoid going back home with a 3-1 deficit. Curry will play, but how close he is to 100% will be a critical storyline.

Betting odds suggest the Warriors aren’t alone in being confident that Curry won’t be affected by the injury. Golden State enters as +4 underdogs for Game 4, nearly identical with their +3.5 line for Game 3 – even after a nearly wire-to-wire win by the Celtics. The line hasn’t moved much at all even as more details about Curry’s status have surfaced, indicating the injury was never a serious concern for bettors.

Warriors Celtics Game 4 Betting Odds