LOS Angeles, United States (AFP) — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry will undergo an MRI exam on Monday after slipping on the court and injuring his right knee against the Houston Rockets on Sunday.
The reigning NBA Most Valuable Player skidded on a wet spot late in the first half and limped to the locker room at halftime of game four which the Warriors won easily 121-94.
The team said Curry, who missed games two and three with a right ankle injury, had suffered a suspected right knee strain.
“I just feel so bad for him,” said Warriors coach Steve Kerr, whose superstar couldn’t hide tears before he limped off the court.
“He was standing there crying,” said teammate Draymond Green. “I just told him we’ve got him.”
Added teammate Marreese Speights: “He always keeps his composure. To see him like that, we felt his heart.”
Curry had just returned on Sunday to the starting lineup after. He had wanted to play in game three — which the Rockets won 97-96 with a last-gasp shot from James Harden — but was overruled by Kerr and the Warriors medical staff.
Golden State lead the series 3-1 and can wrap it up with a victory Wednesday at home.
But a serious injury to Curry could hinder their bid to cap a spectacular season, in which they set a regular-season record with 73 victories, with a second straight NBA crown.
Still finding his rhythm, Curry missed seven-of-nine shots in the first half.
His bread and butter shot all year has been the three-pointer, but he shot a dismal one-of-seven from beyond the arc.
He finished with six points with five assists in 18 minutes of floor time.
Curry returned to the court during halftime, briefly warmed up but went back to the locker room as the third quarter got underway.
Green said the injury to Curry galvanized the Warriors.
“With Steph going out, obviously you’ve got to step everything up,” he said. “I knew in the third quarter if we wanted to win that game I had to turn it up a notch.”
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