Steph Curry says his right knee is in good shape as the Warriors open training camp, pushing back on the offseason chatter that lingered after last year’s injury.
Curry’s knee was a major issue during Golden State’s disappointing season, one that ended with the team missing the playoffs entirely. He was out for more than two months after the pain and swelling first showed up Jan. 24 during a workout in Minneapolis. He played through it for a few games before leaving the lineup Jan. 30, and ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that Curry has since been dealing with what’s called “runner's knee.”
That left room for questions this offseason. NBC Sports’ Marcus Poole reported there was still concern inside the organization, saying, “There's at least some lingering concern about the knee.
From what I've been told, it can be managed, but it has to be managed and that's a new thing for Steph because people always say he is the most conditioned guy in the League and now he has to manage a knee. I guess we'll find out, but from what I understand, he and his trainers have devised ways to kind of work around that and sort of support that whole possibility of the knee not being as great as he wants it to be.
So, I'm curious to see how it turns out, but Steph seemed pretty confident that he'll be able to go out there and put out 70+ games,” Poole said.
Curry’s own message was much simpler when he spoke to reporters.
“Knee's feeling great. Ready to go.
No issues. I feel a lot stronger and understanding of what I'm dealing with,” Curry said.
It remains something to watch as the season unfolds, especially with Curry carrying such a massive load for Golden State. If he does need to miss a game or two, it would likely be tied to a real issue rather than routine rest.
Curry usually isn’t the kind of player who sits unless he has to, and that makes his status even more important. The four-time NBA champion enters the season with a new extension and, by his own account, a knee that isn’t causing problems right now.
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