Golden State Warriors: 5 keys to series vs. Pelicans

1. Will Curry play?

The final key to this series is undoubtedly the biggest. Will Stephen Curry play? And if so, how much of the series will he play?

Steph Curry is the Dubs’ most valuable player. They struggle without him, and that’s evident by their second-seeding at the season’s end. With Curry out injured during different points in the season, the Warriors didn’t often look like their world-beating selves, although they held their own. Against the Spurs in Round 1, the Warriors took things up a notch, as they have done in the playoffs before.

There’s no word yet on Curry’s status for the Pelicans series other than being listed as “questionable.” Rumors have been swirling that he’ll suit up for Game 1, but the Warriors have kept things hushed.

If Curry doesn’t play Game 1, and the Warriors win, it would be wise to keep resting him until they really need him. If they lose Game 1, however, I’d imagine his timeline will be pushed ahead. Many believe the Warriors will struggle to win against the Pelicans without Curry. If New Orleans plays how it did against the Blazers, that’s not an unfair assumption.

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My first instinct is to not rush him back. The Warriors have the talent to win without him, but it won’t be in four games. Patience is key. They’ll need Curry at 100 percent when they likely face the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference Finals.