Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry’s knee is the key to a repeat

The Golden State Warriors will only go as far as Stephen Curry’s knee can carry them

Are the Golden State Warriors vulnerable heading into the 2018 NBA playoffs? In short, the answer is yes. However, when your team boasts a roster with four all-stars and one of the best coaches in the NBA, the Golden State Warriors can still repeat as NBA Champions.

Golden State’s vulnerability can be defined as a hairline fracture in a golden suit of armor. Steph Curry has missed 14 of the teams last 17 games with a grade 2 MCL sprain. 

"The last update Golden State Warriors’ Head Coach Steve Kerr gave on Curry was at a presser in late March where he stated that there was “no way” Steph made it back in time for the first round."

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If the season ended today, Golden State would face off against an up-and-down Oklahoma City Thunder team, led by Russell Westbrook and Paul George. This would actually be an intriguing matchup, especially if Curry isn’t healthy enough to suit up. 

Worries really begin to build for the Warriors, though, when you take a look at possible match ups with Portland and Houston. Curry is expected to return by the second round but it’s unknown exactly how healthy he’ll be. Portland offers little ability to combat a player like Kevin Durant but in the backcourt Curry will struggle. Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have dominated this season. Curry will struggle if problems from his sprained MCL linger in any way.

Can the Golden State Warriors handle the Rockets?

These worries only get worse as Golden State advances through the playoffs. A Western Conference Finals match up with the Houston Rockets seems inevitable. In three games this season, Golden State lost twice. The Warriors only win came in a game where James Harden didn’t even see the floor. Houston’s dominance this season from behind the arc is comparable to Golden States’. A healthy Curry is necessary for Golden State if they wish to advance to the Finals.

With Golden State and Houston fully healthy, a series between the two would be an absolute battle. During the current run Golden State has been on, no team has served as a real threat. For the first time since the 2014-15 season, Golden State won’t be the number one seed heading into the playoffs.

Houston has shown all season that they are the real deal. If  Curry comes in at anything less than 100 percent, there is a real chance the Houston Rockets could be the team to dethrone Golden State in the West.

At full strength, Golden State can take down Houston. Golden State has more experience, more weapons, and better team chemistry. The key phrase being at full strength. Golden State’s vulnerabilities lie within Curry’s knee.

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If Curry returns in the second series with minimal signs of his MCL sprain there’s no reason Golden State shouldn’t find themselves competing for their third championship in four years. If Curry’s knee injury refuses to go away, the cracks in the Golden State Warriors’ armor could lead to their first missed finals since their run began in 2015.