Curry cleared for Warriors‑Lakers opener as injury concerns ease

On a balmy Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the Golden State Warriors will step onto the court for the first time this season, and the headline act will be Stephen "Steph" Curry. The two‑time MVP suffered a minor ankle twist during a Sunday practice, but head coach Steve Kerr assured fans that the injury isn’t serious enough to keep him out.

Last year, Curry was a shadow of his usual self, limited to just 43 games because a nagging knee issue kept him sidelined for the majority of the schedule. The Warriors, who missed the playoffs for only the fourth time since Kerr took the helm in 2014, are hoping the veteran point guard can finally stay healthy for a full campaign.

The roster has had its own share of drama. Six‑time All‑Star Jimmy Butler tore his ACL in January, a blow that ended his season before it really began. Earlier in March, former No. 14 overall pick Moses Moody ruptured his left patellar tendon, also cutting his year short. Both players are on the rehab track, and the organization is optimistic they could rejoin the squad before winter’s end.

Curry’s numbers from last season still looked impressive: 26.6 points per game, leading the team alongside Butler’s 20.0, while Moody topped the regulars with a 40.1% three‑point clip. Though his assists slipped to a career‑low 4.7 per game, Curry still earned his 12th All‑Star nod, proving his impact goes far beyond the stat sheet.

The Warriors’ opener will be a road test against a Lakers squad navigating its first year without LeBron James in nearly a decade. After the Los Angeles tilt, Golden State will return home for a Friday night debut against the Memphis Grizzlies, hoping to kick off the season on a high note.