Why is Stephen Curry Not Playing Tonight vs Grizzlies? Warriors Star’s Surprising Absence Revealed by Steve Kerr

The last time the Dubs faced the Grizzlies, it was a carnage. The Warriors didn’t have time to breathe, as Ja Morant & Co. rained down bucket after bucket to seal a blowout 144-93 win. Seven games later, the Bay Area side takes on the Memphis side again after gaining confidence from the 3-4 run. Notably, the team is fresh off a blowout win over the 76ers powered by Stephen Curry. Now is the time when they can build on their momentum to seek another win in this situation. However, Kerr seemed to have another plan.

Yes, Stephen Curry didn’t lace up for tonight’s game, and it’s part of the injury management decision that the team has taken ahead of the back-to-back games. After tonight’s game, the Dubs will face the Sacramento Kings tomorrow at home. Moreover, this decision didn’t just pop out of the blue. Coach Steve Kerr recently addressed it during his feature on the radio show 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs.”

When the hosts asked if Stephen Curry would be rested for the first game of the back-to-back setup on Saturday, Kerr said, “Yes, Steph’s going to be out… With the back-to-back and with the tendinitis in his knees, our training staff made the decision couple weeks ago that we would limit his vulnerability in the back-to-backs. So no, he’ll miss tomorrow, and he’ll be back Sunday.” He also added, “We’ll just go from there, but we have to manage the tendinitis as best we can and just try to win games while we’re at it.”

Moreover, this wasn’t the first back-to-back game that Curry sat out. The superstar missed the game where the Clippers hosted the Dubs at the Intuit Dome. Unfortunately, the team lost the game despite Jonathan Kuminga‘s uprising performance. Will the team have a similar fate tonight?

Can the Warriors win without Stephen Curry?

There isn’t any doubt that Steph’s absence is a massive blow to the team. But in the recent matchups, the Dubs showcased that they don’t only rely on the veteran. For instance, in the last win over the Sixers, it wasn’t just a one-man show. Yes, Steph took all the limelight with his 8-8 FG from the arc. However, the team had a powerful impact as well.

Apart from the superstar’s 30-point outing, six players from the team scored in double-digits, spearheaded by Jonathan Kuminga’s 20-pointer with 5 assists and 5 rebounds. Moreover, Dennis Schroder, who struggled to find his rhythm after the trade, seemed to have found his mojo, as he recorded his highest score with the Dubs, 15 points and 6 assists.

In tonight’s game, the Dubs have an undue advantage over the Grizzlies. The Memphis side will take on the court without their centerpiece, Ja Morant. The star point guard has missed the last three games suffering from AC joint pain. In a way, it’s an evenly poised match-up. Who do you think will cross the line? Let us know in the comments.