Curry OK After Ankle Injury Scare, Will Skip Warriors Finale

It sounds silly because of the incredible star power they possess, but the Warriors go as Steph Curry goes.

So when the five-time All-Star and two-time MVP slipped in the first quarter of Tuesday night’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans and suffered a sprained right ankle, there was real cause for concern not just for the team and its fans, but for NBA betting enthusiasts.

Steve Kerr Expects Curry for Playoffs

Some of that concern was alleviated when head coach Steve Kerr spoke with reporters after the game. Kerr said Curry would miss Wednesday’s regular-season finale, but the star guard is expected to be fine for Game 1 of the NBA Playoffs this weekend.

Golden State, the oddsmakers’ choice for NBA Finals betting even in a turbulent regular season, has had the luxury of resting its starters in the final week.

The Warriors secured the top seed and homecourt advantage in the Western Conference with a 27-point win over the Clippers on Sunday in the final regular-season game at Oracle Arena. The Warriors will move across the bay to the Chase Center in San Francisco next season.

Golden State to Rest Several Starters Wednesday

Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson, DeMarcus Cousins and Curry are all expected to rest Wednesday against the Grizzlies, and Curry’s injury scare only cements that decision.

The Golden State Warriors have as much star power as any team in NBA history. Their starting lineup features five All-Stars with a combined 30 appearances, two MVPs, a Defensive Player of the Year and four likely Hall of Famers.

Still, Curry is the catalyst.

The Warriors were a pedestrian 5-7 in games Curry missed this season. Last year, Curry missed 31 games and the Warriors went 17-14 without him. That’s a 22-21 record without Curry (.511 win percentage) compared to 93-27 in games he plays (.775) over two seasons. Even considering the firepower the Warriors possess, there isn’t a more valuable player in the NBA than Curry.

Warriors remain NBA Finals betting favorite

The good news is Curry’s injury looks to be minor and it hasn’t affected Golden State’s title odds. They’re still -210 to win a third consecutive championship. Barring an injury to Curry, they’ll withstand just about any setbacks that come their way.

In addition to Curry, Durant, Thompson and Green – who have cruised to championships each of the past two seasons – Cousins gives them another dynamic. After returning in December from Achilles surgery, the newest member of the Warriors has shaken off the rust and averaged 18.1 points on 52 percent shooting, 8.9 rebounds and 4.0 assists in his past 11 games.

He’ll get the first playoff experience of his nine-year career and will give the Warriors another lethal option in their quest for a three-peat.