Steph Curry to miss at least 2 games

Could be better, could be worse.

The Golden State Warriors had their worst day of the young NBA season on Sunday, losing a home game to the LA Clippers 112-104 and, more importantly, losing two-time MVP Steph Curry to an ankle injury.

After the game, Steve Kerr expressed some cautious optimism, listing Curry’s injury — sustained after ankle rolls in both the third and fourth quarters — as “mild or moderate.” And, after having an MRI on Sunday night, it appears as though that’s exactly what the injury is.

The Warriors announced on Monday afternoon that Curry has a left peroneal strain, and that, thankfully, there is no structural damage to his ankle. The team ruled him out for their upcoming back-to-back against the New Orleans Pelicans, which takes place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with both games at Chase Center.

Curry will be re-evaluated on Friday, before the Warriors take off for a five-game road trip, which begins on Saturday with a game against the Houston Rockets, before heading to Washington D.C., Boston, and Cleveland, before concluding at the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday, November 10. The hope is certainly that Curry can return for some of those games, if not all of them (thankfully there are no back-to-backs).

The Dubs will have work to do to put up points in Curry’s absence, which is further complicated by the subsequent announcement that Curry’s natural replacement, De’Anthony Melton, will also miss the two games against the Pelicans with a back injury. He’ll also be re-evaluated on Friday.

Steve Kerr told reporters that he doesn’t know who will start Tuesday’s game, but that Draymond Green, Brandin Podziemsi, and Kyle Anderson will be heavily leaned on as playmakers in Curry and Melton’s absence.