2019 NBA Playoffs: Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers preview

Key Question No. 1: How is Stephen Curry’s ankle?

Less than nine minutes into Golden State’s second-to-last game of the regular season against the New Orleans Pelicans, Stephen Curry rolled his right ankle stumbling towards the right wing. After trying to play on, he would leave the game soon after and would not return.

He wouldn’t play in the Dubs’ final game against the Memphis Grizzlies, but all indications suggest that he will be ready to go for Game 1 on Saturday. Steve Kerr even went so far as to say “We think he’s going to be fine,” stating that Steph felt fine as well.

This is good news for Warriors fans and Kerr certainly has no reason not to feel as he did, but that doesn’t mean there’s no cause for concern in regards to Golden State’s most important player.

Remember, Curry sprained his MCL in the first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs, and while he returned midway through round two, the injury clearly lingered, compromising him if only just a little bit and certainly playing a part in Golden State’s collapse from a 3-1 lead to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.

The Warriors went a surprising 5-8 without Steph this season and only 24-23 in his absence since KD arrived. He’s not likely to miss any postseason games, but if he’s compromised, it changes everything Golden State does and could have major implications as the team goes deeper into the playoffs.