The Golden State Warriors have shocked many this season, sitting near the top, despite not pursuing big trades for names like Paul George and Lauri Markkanen. Their role players have stepped up, but it’s Stephen Curry who’s truly stood out, building on his strong Team USA performance in Paris this summer. However, injury concerns continue to hover over the aging Splash Bro. Recent reports indicate that a potential injury could impact his availability for Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Curry is dealing with left knee bursitis. Earlier, it was an ankle ailment that caused the 2x MVP to miss 3 games for the Warriors this season. Well, thanks to Dr. Nirav Pandya, we now have a better idea about what knee bursitis is. “Bursa are fluid filled sacs that help to reduce friction around joints. In the knee, the bursa around the knee cap can get inflammation (i.e. bursitis). This usually occurs from contact / fall. Treatment is typically rest, ice, and anti-inflammatories,” the injury analyst for 95.7 The Game wrote on X.

It can happen in different parts of the body, including the knee, elbow, and hip, especially for people who engage in repetitive activities or sports. When irritation affects the bursa, it produces extra fluid, causing pain and swelling around the joint.

There are a few common causes of bursitis. You can experience it because of a direct impact or injury, leading to a condition known as “acute bursitis.” If the irritation is caused by repetitive overuse or pressure on the area, it can lead to “chronic bursitis.” In rare cases, bursitis may develop from an infection, particularly if there’s a cut or injury that allows bacteria to enter the bursa.

For athletes, dealing with bursitis typically involves addressing the inflammation and swelling. The treatment is fairly simple: rest the affected area, avoid sporting activities, apply ice, and take anti-inflammatory medications. This usually helps reduce the swelling.

In more severe cases, where there’s significant swelling, draining the area or injecting steroids might be necessary. Surgeons rarely perform surgery, reserving it for chronic cases or infections.

The good news is that most athletes recover quickly from acute bursitis, especially when a fall or blow causes it. The focus is on preventing further injury and ensuring the inflammation doesn’t become a recurring issue. It’s crucial to address the pain and swelling early, so it doesn’t turn into a chronic problem. It looks like Curry will be fine but who’ll take charge without the 2x MVP?

The Warriors will march on even without Stephen Curry

The Warriors are facing a few injury challenges, but it’s not all bad news. De’Anthony Melton and Lindy Waters III are both out for Monday’s game against the Clippers because of injuries. On top of that, Stephen Curry’s status is up in the air, which means the Warriors could be down several key players in the backcourt.

This opens the door for Moses Moody, Buddy Hield, and Brandin Podziemski. Moody and Hield have been off to solid starts, so they should be fine. The real question is about Podz, who came into the season with high expectations after a solid rookie year. Unfortunately, he has yet to deliver on those expectations, with his scoring down and his 3-point shooting way below par at just 20%.

Now, with the backcourt stretched thin, the youngsters have a chance to prove their worth again. The Warriors have been successful so far, mostly thanks to their depth, but they’ve done so despite Brandin’s struggles. With a couple of days off before their next game, Stephen Curry and Lindy Waters III might recover, but it’s clear the Bay Area side needs Podziemski to find his form. But Steve Kerr believes in him. He said “I think the last two games there has been some indecision. First time I’ve seen that from him since maybe early last season,”. When the boss backs you up like that, you have to got to perform.

The question is—will he? It’ll be interesting to see if he can turn things around and make an impact. What do you think?