As the Golden State Warriors prepare to face the Los Angeles Clippers in a decisive regular-season finale, all eyes are on Stephen Curry’s availability. The result of this game will determine whether the Warriors secure a direct playoff spot or enter the NBA Play-In Tournament.
Stephen Curry’s Injury Status Ahead of Crucial Matchup
Curry is questionable for Golden State’s regular-season finale vs. Los Angeles after suffering a right thumb sprain during the Warriors’ latest win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Curry left the game briefly in the first quarter, but he returned with his fingers taped and scored 14 points in the victory. He said postgame, “It hurts right now, but I’ll be alright,” while noting he expects to play.
Despite the injury status, some reports say Curry plans to play in this important game. According to Anthony Slater of The Athletic, “Steph Curry said the thumb injury impacted his shooting ‘a little bit’ because it was ‘fresh pain’ but doesn’t think it’ll ‘last too long.'”
“He said he will play on Sunday,” Slater added.
Curry’s performance is key for the Warriors as he leads the team in scoring, averaging 24.4 points per game. His leadership and shooting will be a major factor in this game.
It looks like he’ll be able to go, but if not, Golden State will have to rely on its depth and collective effort to secure a win if Curry isn’t available for the game against the Clippers.
Also, the Warriors will need the leadership and defense of Draymond Green. He’s already stepped up in a few games without Curry, and the Warriors have gone 7–5 this season without him, showing they can still compete at a high level.
Playoff Implications for Warriors and Clippers
The stakes are high for both teams. The Warriors (48–33) need a win to lock up the No. 6 seed and avoid the play-in tournament. A loss, combined with a Minnesota Timberwolves win over the Utah Jazz, would drop them to the No. 7 seed and into the play-in.
The Clippers (49–32) also face a crucial scenario. A win secures their playoff spot — possibly even as high as the No. 4 seed if the Denver Nuggets lose. Depending on other results, a loss, however, could send them to the play-in tournament.
This game feels like a playoff preview, with both teams trying to control their postseason fate. As Curry put it, “It should be like a Game 7 kind of vibe.”
