When Stephen Curry decided to play yesterday, he would have never thought he would end up with his “foot in a bucket of ice”. For someone who pushes his game to make it look like art, with so much precision, making rival teams go minuscule, and relishing the many accolades coming his way, this is a major disaster on his path to achieving a championship. It’s the same story all over again. 2016, 2018, 2022, and March 2024. Once again, Curry’s brilliance is under question – whether he will play? How serious is his injury, and whether the Warriors be able to survive the aftermath, or be vulnerable without their star player?

For NBA players, with the number of jumps, leaps, and running around the court they do, ankle sprains are nothing but a casualty. It’s part of their jobs. But for someone like Stephen Curry, two surgeries and innumerable sprains are much more serious than just the regular stuff. 941 games so far, and here we are again, discussing if his future is doubtful again. It feels like we are revisiting history one more time. Today, too, nobody cares the Warriors lost to the Bulls, just like they did not care after they lost to the Pacers. The only thing people are bothered about – Curry is injured.

Despite the injury, Draymond Green feels Curry’s “spirits are high“. When Curry rolled his right ankle during the fourth quarter, as he tried to cut and pass through the Bulls to get to the basket, the injury happened, rather promptly. He was just being the usual Curry – hobbling off, and jumping across people, making it all look smooth and artistic. Like last year, this year too, nobody knows what’s happening. They are “hoping it’s not too bad. But we’ve just got to wait and see.”

There are murmurs of ice buckets, wraps, MRIs, and whatnot. All too familiar? Because it has repeated itself. All of this is happening right before their crucial race for the playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Curry’s absence could mean a significant setback for the Warriors, especially now. With just 20 regular season games left, the Dubs were finally showing an improvement, but then again, we have the past resurfacing. It’s throwing a spanner in the works, once again!

The same script unfolded in 2022

During the latter stages of the 2021-22 season, Stephen Curry injured his left ankle against the Boston Celtics. Curry missed the Dubs’ last twelve regular season games because of the injury. The Warriors struggled in Steph’s absence, winning just one game in the following seven matches. However, the resilient Warriors fought their way, bouncing back with 5 wins to finish the regular season.

Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and especially Jordan Poole, stepped up in Curry’s absence. Poole averaged 22.4 points, 6.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds in the last five regular season games of the Dubs. However, Steph returned in the playoffs, as the Warriors got ready to face the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. Steph came off the bench and averaged 28.0 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.4 rebounds in 5 games, as the Dubs won the series 4-1.

Stephen Curry would eventually go on to lead the Warriors to their 4th NBA championship in eight seasons. The Warriors defeated the likes of the Nuggets, Grizzlies, Mavs, and the Celtics en route to the title. Curry averaged 27.4 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in 22 games in the 2022 playoffs. Curry won the Finals MVP for his stellar performances in the playoffs. But, if it wasn’t for the likes of Klay, Draymond, and Poole stepping up in his absence, the Warriors probably wouldn’t have been in the same position. However, with Poole gone and Klay and Draymond visibly showing signs of age, who could step up for the Dubs this time around?

Can Kuminga and Podziemski step up in Stephen Curry’s absence?

The Golden State Warriors possess a bevy of youngsters who could step up in Stephen Curry’s absence. Players like Jonathan Kuminga, Brandin Podziemski, and Moses Moody have all spent a significant amount of time with the Warriors and the coaching staff to understand the intricacies of fitting into the team’s rotation. Podziemski and Kuminga have experienced a significant increase in their playing time, a trend that’s expected to continue in light of Steph’s injury.

The conclusion of the Warriors vs. Bulls game could also offer additional clarity on how the Dubs may proceed forward with Steph out injured. Despite his young age, Podziemski took on the responsibility of shooting the last shot of the game, as he tried to force overtime. Although Podziemski missed the shot, he demonstrated the character and bravery that the Warriors require at this moment. Furthermore, Kuminga also made significant contributions in the game, scoring 19 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in 33 minutes of playing time.

Apart from Kuminga and Podziemski, Thompson, Green, and CP3 are still present to guide youngsters during this tough period. While Klay has endured a tough season, he still remains the Dubs’ second-highest points scorer after Curry with 17 points per game. Chris Paul has led Golden State’s second unit with aplomb and his decisive playmaking skills have also come in clutch to close out games.

With less than 20 regular season games remaining, Warriors fans would hope that youngsters and the old guard can hold the fort until Steph returns. Securing a playoff spot holds immense importance for the Warriors organization, particularly as it seems that the era of the Warriors dynasty may be nearing its end. However, do the Warriors possess adequate talent to legitimately challenge for the 2024 NBA title?

Can the Warriors win the 2024 NBA championship?

The Warriors have endured an underwhelming season, to say the least. They have looked like a shadow of their once formidable selves this season. However, a late-season resurgence has propelled the Dubs back into title contention, and rightfully so. They possess one of the league’s most potent offensive threats in Stephen Curry, along with a supporting cast of seasoned veterans boasting years of postseason experience. Combine that with the dynamic energy brought by young talents like Kuminga, Podziemski, and Moody, the Dubs have a recipe for postseason success.

However, as things stand currently, the Warriors would have to enter the playoffs via the play-in tournament. Given how things are shaping up at the top of the Western Conference standings, the Dubs would either face the Nuggets, Thunder, or the Timberwolves in the first round of the playoffs, all of whom possess a significantly better roster than them. The Warriors’ extensive postseason experience is undoubtedly an asset, but it alone may not be enough to propel them far in the playoffs.

The Dubs possess both the personnel and the caliber to go deep into the playoffs, but a title win looks extremely improbable at the moment. However, they have proven their doubters wrong on multiple occasions before, and it wouldn’t be surprising if they did so once more this postseason. What are your thoughts? Can the Warriors win the 2024 NBA championship? Let us know in the comments below!

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