Blue Man Hoop
Fansided

The Warriors should be able to beat the Cavs even without Steph

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Stephen Curry #30 and Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Curry made a three-point basket against the LA Clippers late in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on October 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 21: Stephen Curry #30 and Damion Lee #1 of the Golden State Warriors celebrate after Curry made a three-point basket against the LA Clippers late in the fourth quarter at Chase Center on October 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Golden State Warriors will be taking on a Cleveland Cavaliers team that was heavily injured when they faced the Brooklyn Nets Wednesday night. They were without several of their top weapons on both sides of the ball, including guard Collin Sexton and center Jarrett Allen.

With MVP frontrunner Stephen Curry questionable with a hip contusion for Thursday night’s match-up, it might be time to test just how good this team can be without their superstar leading the way.

The Golden State Warriors may be without two-time MVP Stephen Curry on Thursday, potentially helping the Dubs test their true depth.

So far this season, they’ve proven to have an elite bench, but can they still pull out a win against another extremely injured team? That’ll be the million-dollar question the Dubs must answer on Thursday.

While every paying fan for hopefully both fanbases should want Curry in the game, it wouldn’t be a bad move to hold him out and get the team’s unanimous leader some rest. Curry has been the league’s early-season MVP, the only player averaging 28 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Curry has been the heartbeat of the offense, but the Dubs, as was shown on Tuesday night, can thrive without Curry. He went to the bench with four fouls and the Warriors immediately imploded the lead into the high teens.

So far this season, Curry has a net rating of 19 while the Warriors as a team have a net rating of 13.1. That’s especially interesting as Curry plays the majority of the game. That said, it would likely be Damion Lee who fills his spot as a start if he can’t take the court.

Lee has been excellent this season, and even behind him, Moses Moody and Jonathan Kuminga have stepped up in a bid way. Overall, the Warriors bench averages the 8th-most points per game and 6th-most threes.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

They’ve been able to perform well while Curry is out of the game. While it will be a good litmus test as to the true depth this team has, all expectations are that they continue to succeed even without their star, especially if Green takes the court to lead them.

Home/Warriors News