Stephen Curry Admits Ankle Won’t Be 100 Percent

The sharp-shooting guard rolled over his left ankle in Golden State’s Game 3 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, and was a game-time decision for Game 4. He inevitably played, logging 39 minutes and helping lead the Warriors to an overtime victory that tied the series up at two games.

Though Curry wasn’t his usual mobile self, he still managed to produce at a high level. He was 7-of-15 from the floor (including 5-of-10 from deep) for 22 points. He also pitched in six rebounds and four assists.

Again, the Warriors didn’t have the Curry they had become accustomed to–the one that plays 40-plus minutes every night—but they may have to get used to that.

After the win, Curry said that his ankle may never be 100 percent.

Steph Curry on ankle: “I doubt it’ll ever be 100% for the foreseeable future, but knowing that I can be on the court as a threat – I’m ready

— Sean Cunningham (@News10Sean) May 12, 2013

To an extent, this is something we already suspected. Curry missed just four games during the regular season, but tweaked one of his ankles on a number of occasions. He’s battled abrasions to those ankles of his since entering the league and missed 40 games during the lockout-truncated 2011-12 campaign because of them as well.

But while this is nothing new, admitting that he may never (or at least for awhile) reach 100 percent is more than disconcerting. Teams never want their superstars to play on a bum anything, ankles(s) included.

And yet, that’s what Curry is doing. Make no mistake that’s what he’s doing. Following Game 4, he admitted that he was forced to take another pain-killing shot Sunday.

Steph Curry says he had to take another painkilling injection to play today.

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 12, 2013

At only 25, Curry having to continue to depend on painkillers is once again troubling. He’s not an aging veteran like a Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett. He hasn’t even hit his prime yet. But here he is doing whatever it takes to stay on the court (take notes Derrick Rose), which is both awe-inspiring and cringe worthy.

What we have to understand, however, is that Curry is playing for the opportunity that is in front of him now. He’s not taking the Derrick Rose approach. This isn’t about contending next year. It’s about now. As he put it, he’s been waiting for this opportunity his whole life.

On Curry’s shot, it was anti-flammatory.He hoped to stop taking shots, but – to paraphrase – has been waiting for this chance his whole life

— Sam Amick (@sam_amick) May 12, 2013

It would be easy for us to sit here and point out to Curry that he has another decade to play and plenty of other playoff appearances to make, but that may not matter. What good would that do if his ankle never winds up being 100 percent? Obviously, you hope there comes a point in time when he’s completely healthy, but what if he isn’t? What if this is something he needs to learn how to play through? That at least makes his latest decision seem not as reckless.

Some are still likely to be worried, and I can’t say I blame them. I myself don’t want to see Curry’s superstar potential go up in flames because he over-extended himself by playing through an injury he shouldn’t have. But I also admire his willingness to persevere.

Steph Curry said he did actually feel doubt that he’d be able to play today. #Warriors #Spurs

— Sean Cunningham (@News10Sean) May 12, 2013

Right now, you can’t rely on Curry’s ankles. You can’t depend on him to stay healthy. He’s been injured far too often over the last four years for us to believe that.

What you can put stock in is his grit. If he can play, he’s going to play; if he can walk, he’s going to play. And since neither he nor we can promise he’ll be physically okay moving forward, we’ll have to settle for his ability to play through adversity, physical afflictions included.

Which isn’t really settling at all.