NBA Preview April 19-25: Steph Curry is Cooking
Steph Curry has been on one of the best runs of his career but will it be enough for the Warriors? Plus the weekly NBA schedule.
In terms of transforming the NBA in their image, Warriors star Stephen Curry is arguably the most impactful basketball player since Michael Jordan. We’ve recognized his greatness for a long time: He’s been named MVP twice and won three rings while leading Golden State to five straight NBA Finals. But his past 10 games have been a vivid reminder of how thoroughly he’s sculpted the longball culture of the modern NBA.
Curry put up 47 points in the Warriors’ loss to the Celtics on Saturday, capping an incredible 10-game streak in which he’s scored at least 30 points. Among his 11(!) 3-pointers was one of the most ridiculous shots Steph has ever knocked in, and that’s saying something for a shooter who makes circus shots look routine (watch in the clip below). Curry’s shot-making has always gone hand-in-hand with his incredible handles, and that part of his game has been spectacular as well: According to ESPN, Steph has had three games this season in which he’s made at least seven 3-pointers off the dribble; Damien Lillard is the only other player to have even one.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/mjGZZ3ZJd6Y
The Warriors have needed all that Curry has given them, as they’re currently outside of the playoff picture with one month left in the season. Golden State has been crippled by injury over the past couple of seasons, with rookie big man James Wiseman the latest Warrior to go down with a season-ending injury. Curry also appeared to injure his left ankle midway through the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game, and forward Juan Toscano-Anderson suffered a concussion after diving for the ball and crashing into the scorers table.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/yEmjA9HtPbA
Toscano-Anderson is in the league’s concussion protocol, so it’s unclear how long he’ll be out. Thankfully, Curry’s ankle injury doesn’t appear to be serious, and he could be in the lineup for tonight’s game against the 76ers. With a very tight playoff race and much of the Warriors roster in street clothes, Golden State may have to win the Play-In tournament to make the playoffs. But as long as Curry is in the lineup, they will always be fun to watch.
The Warriors play on ESPN twice this week; tonight's game eagainst the 76ers and Friday's big matchup against the Denver Nuggets. Check out the NBA’s weekly national TV schedule below. To get the most NBA basketball on Sling, sign up for Sling Orange + Blue with Sports Extras using the link at the bottom of this page.
NBA Basketball
National TV games April 19-April 25
*All games subject to blackout
Find a full schedule of NBA games HERE >
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