Stephen Curry’s Injury and what that means for the Warriors and Jordan Poole

The absence of Stephen Curry will now make what was already shaping up to be a tough few weeks for the Warriors even more challenging.
Multiple weeks of action are expected to be missed by the four-time NBA champion after a shoulder injury was suffered on Wednesday night in Golden State’s 125-119 loss to Indiana.
The Warriors’ chances of climbing up the standings in a stacked Western Conference will be pivotal to how they manage without their star guard, who is currently sitting under .500 on the season (14-15).
In his absence, they will have to keep things afloat by committee, made all the more difficult considering his high level of productivity through the first quarter of the season.
Can the Warriors survive if Curry is not there?
Golden State’s up-and-down start to the season has been papered over by Curry’s scintillating play. Curry is averaging 30.0 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds in 34.4 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 43.4 percent from 3-point range.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said after Wednesday’s game that if Curry is out, it will for sure get tougher. You have to keep going even when it’s tough. Keep playing and fighting. This season is long.
“I am confident that we can beat anybody if we are healthy. This team has proven that, in my opinion. Our job is to get there. We need to find a way to get through this season.”

Curry is the center of the Warriors’ offense, due to his scoring and the spacing his shooting provides for his teammates, as well as being the primary focus of opposing defenses.
The numbers are clear. Per PBP Stats, the offensive rating of Golden State plummets by a whopping 17.7 points when he is on the bench.
Although it will be difficult, the Warriors have a good replacement option available to them.
The Warriors will rely on Poole to fill the void at point guard left by the sidelined Curry, a role he has excelled in as a starter.
Poole has been solid for the Warriors this season, averaging 17.9 points, 4.6 assists, and 2.2 rebounds per game since signing his four-year extension in the summer. His efficiency has decreased from last season, as he is shooting 42.4 percent from the field and 31.9 percent from the 3-point line.
Poole has averaged 25.0 points in 10 games when he has started, which is good news for the Warriors.
Poole will have the most increased responsibility in Curry’s absence, but Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Jonathan Kuminga, and Moses Moody will also be expected to help carry the offensive load.
The Warriors announced on Thursday that Wiggins has been cleared to join practices and shootarounds after missing the team’s last five games due to an adductor injury.
The Warriors continue their six-game road trip with a tough run of games, including matchups against the 76ers, Raptors, Knicks and Nets. Their next game will be at home against the Grizzlies on Christmas Day.
Their dominance at home has kept them afloat this season (12-2), but after losses to the Bucks and Pacers to start their six-game road trip, they hold the worst road record in the Western Conference at 2-13.