The Golden State Warriors’ NBA championship hopes took a concerning turn Thursday night (March 20). Midway through the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors, Stephen Curry went down hard after colliding with Jonathan Mogbo and Colin Castleton.
The fall sent him crashing onto his lower back, and he remained on the ground for several moments before gingerly walking to the locker room with the team’s medical staff. With Curry already nursing back issues and having a history of tailbone injuries, this latest setback raises questions about his availability moving forward.
Stephen Curry Injury Update: What Is a Pelvic Contusion?
Anthony Slater of The Athletic broke the news, sharing on X:
“Concern for the Warriors: Steph Curry just went to the locker room grabbing at his tailbone after a hard fall. Here he is discussing it with Drew Yoder and Rick Celebrini and then walking to locker room gingerly with Celebrini.”
Shortly after, Slater provided an update:
“Pelvic contusion for Steph Curry, per Warriors. Out for the game.”
Pelvic contusion for Steph Curry, per Warriors. Out for the game. https://t.co/z2UBRK7igM
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater)
Curry’s injury is concerning and will require carefully evaluation and significant recovery time.
A pelvic contusion occurs when one of the pelvic bones suffers a bruise, causing inflammation in the bone and surrounding soft tissues.
Dr. Nirav Pandey, MD, explained the nature of Curry’s injury on X, noting: “Quick thread on pelvic contusions re: the Stephen Curry injury. A pelvic contusion is essentially bruising/inflammation to the bones of the pelvis and/or soft tissues in that region.
“Assuming that further imaging does not actually show any fractures, return to play typically is based on when an athlete is able to play comfortably without pain. This can be variable based on the region that is contused in the pelvis and the degree of inflammation.”
Quick thread on pelvic contusions re: the Stephen Curry injury. A pelvic contusion is essentially bruising / inflammation to the bones of the pelvis and/or soft tissues in that region. Assuming that further imaging does not actually show any fractures, return to play typically…
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya)
In simpler terms, the timeline for Curry’s return depends on how much pain he experiences and whether further tests rule out more serious damage.
Warrior Muse also weighed in on similar past injuries, stating: “Looking at previous pelvic contusion injuries. Most recent I can find was Austin Reaves, who missed 5 games. Dray missed 3 games when he had it in 2018. Obviously depends on severity. Just hope it’s nothing more than said contusion.”
Looking at previous pelvic contusion injuries.
Most recent I can find was Austin Reaves, who missed 5 games. Dray missed 3 games when he had it in 2018.
Obviously depends on severity. Just hope it’s nothing more than said contusion.
— WarriorsMuse (@WarriorsMuse)
Curry’s history with tailbone injuries adds another layer of concern. Back in March 2021, he suffered a bruised tailbone that sidelined him for a week. The team later opted for extra precaution, keeping him out for an additional four games. Given his current back issues, the Warriors might take a similar approach.
Curry Points Tonight vs. Toronto Raptors
Before his injury, Curry had been playing efficiently, scoring 17 points in 25 minutes. He shot 6-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from beyond the arc, keeping Golden State competitive in a tight contest.
After Curry was sidelined, Jimmy Butler stepped up for the Warriors. The veteran forward notched a triple-double, finishing with 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists. It marked his second triple-double since joining Golden State.
Despite Curry’s early exit, the Warriors held on to defeat the Raptors 117-114, securing a crucial victory.
The four-time champion has been on a tear this season, leading the Warriors in scoring in four of their last ten games. He recently became the first player ever to hit 4,000 career three-pointers and reached 25,000 career points against the Detroit Pistons. His 56-point outburst against the Orlando Magic also reminded the league of his offensive brilliance.
Now, all eyes are on his recovery. Will Curry return quickly, or will this injury force the Warriors to navigate another stretch without their leader? The next few days will be crucial in determining his status.
