Warriors’ Victory Over Wizards Comes at Cost of Curry, Green Injuries

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Warriors secured a narrow victory over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night, but the win was overshadowed by injuries to key players Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The game, played at Chase Center in front of a sellout crowd of 18,064, highlighted the team’s ongoing struggles this season.

Draymond Green exited the game just three minutes after tipoff due to a visible limp, later diagnosed as left calf tightness. He did not return, and an MRI is scheduled for Sunday. Stephen Curry, already nursing a tender right thumb, suffered a hard landing after a collision under the basket in the final minutes, leaving the game with an apparent ankle injury. Despite the setbacks, Curry remained optimistic about the severity of the injury.

“Draymond’s going to get an MRI tomorrow, and Steph just told me he doesn’t think it’s serious,” Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. “But they’ll both be day-to-day for now.”

Andrew Wiggins stepped up in their absence, delivering a standout performance with 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and two blocks over 35 minutes. Wiggins and Curry combined for 18 points in the fourth quarter, helping the Warriors fend off a late surge by the Wizards, who cut the deficit to five points with 1:39 remaining before faltering.

Moses Moody also contributed significantly, scoring 13 points in 29 minutes while filling in at power forward. Kerr praised Moody’s adaptability, noting his ability to thrive in a perimeter role. “If Draymond’s out for a little bit, it’s a good chance for Moses to get a lot of minutes at that 4 spot,” Kerr said.

The Warriors’ victory, while crucial, comes at a precarious time. The team is set to face the Boston Celtics on Martin Luther King Jr. Day in a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals. However, Golden State will enter the game shorthanded, with Green listed as out and Curry’s status uncertain. The Celtics, currently leading their division, present a formidable challenge for the struggling Warriors.

Golden State’s fortunes this season hinge heavily on the health and availability of Curry and Green, both of whom are integral to the team’s success. With eight of their next nine games at home, the Warriors have an opportunity to climb the Western Conference standings, but injuries could derail their momentum.

As the Warriors await further updates on Curry and Green, the team remains focused on maintaining competitiveness in a season fraught with challenges.