Two practice injuries on the same Sunday cast a shadow over the start of the NBA season. Only one of them ended on a hopeful note.
Why the Stephen Curry ankle sprain looks minor
The scare came at the Golden State Warriors’ open practice at Chase Center. Stephen Curry slipped while guarding De’Anthony Melton, then limped off to the locker room as the crowd went quiet. The fear was natural, since the 38-year-old missed 43 games last season, 27 of them with a right knee problem.
The team soon confirmed the Stephen Curry ankle issue was a right ankle sprain, not the knee. Coach Steve Kerr checked on him in the training room and came away reassured. A team source called it not serious.
Monday brought the clearest answer. Curry completed a full practice, and Kerr said he will play in Wednesday’s opener against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena. Guard Brandin Podziemski sat out with lower back soreness and is day to day.
Simmons sees his comeback end before it started
The Sacramento Kings received far worse news. Guard Ben Simmons suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in a live drill, and an MRI confirmed it. He will have surgery and is expected to miss the entire season.
The timing hurts. Simmons, 30, sat out last year and signed a one-year, $3.5 million deal in September. After a preseason that averaged 10.5 points per game, he was expected to start beside rookie Darius Acuff Jr. at the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday. He vowed on social media to come back, and the Simmons comeback story now has to wait another year.
The league tips off Tuesday as the New York Knicks raise their title banner against the Philadelphia 76ers. If the Stephen Curry ankle holds up in Los Angeles on Wednesday, Golden State can start its season with its star on the floor.
