Dubs win but Curry is injured Star guard headed for MRI on ankle.
Star says it’s a sprain: X-rays negative, but MRI today after limping off court late in win
NEW ORLEANS >> With one sharp cut, Stephen Curry turned a potential steal into what he called a “dumb play.” In the final minute of the Warriors’ 125-115 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday, Curry twisted his right ankle and subsequently limped off the floor after stepping on E’Twaun Moore’s shoe.
Though x-rays turned out negative, concern arose as Curry went through the arena on crutches. He also relied on them to head to the team bus.
“Obviously a sucky situation,” Curry said. “But I’ll be back.”
Curry’s optimism stemmed from the negative x-rays that revealed no structural damage on a right ankle that required surgery five years ago. Therefore, Curry could not resist showing off his sense of humor when he shared his first thought when he rolled his right ankle.
“I had to call my Dad and tell him I can’t play golf tomorrow in Charlotte,” Curry said. “I’m just playing.”
Curry’s health is obviously not a joking matter. The Warriors (19-6) already had enough issues securing a four-game winning streak by relying on another strong third quarter (39-22) to overcome a 21-point deficit. To no one’s surprise, Curry played a large part in that with a team-leading 31 points while shooting 9-of-19 from the field and 5-of11 from 3-point range and posting 11 assists.
“Hopefully he gets better quick,” said Warriors forward Kevin Durant, who had 19 points on 8-of-21 shooting. “But we also want him to take his time and make sure that thing is 100 percent. It sucks, man.”
Kyrie Irving has long admired Al Horford’s skillset from afar. He’s now getting to savor all the advantages that come along with being his teammate.
Irving had 19 of his 32 points in the second half, helping offset a 40-point night by Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Boston Celtics held off the Milwaukee Bucks 111-100 on Monday night.
Horford added 20 points, nine rebounds and eight assists to help Boston improve to an NBA-best 21-4.
“We’re just utilizing our strength’s and realizing that he can use me and I can use him,” Irving said. “When we utilize each other, we can get other guys great shots.”
The Celtics shot 50 percent or better from the field for the fifth straight game.
“I feel like we’re starting to find our rhythm as a group,” Horford said, “and I’m finding my rhythm, too.”
CAVALIERS 113, BULLS 91 >> Dwyane Wade and Kevin Love each scored 24 points and LeBron James added 23 for Cleveland, which beat Chicago for its 12th straight win.
Wade made 9 of 13 shots in his first game in Chicago since agreeing to a buyout with his hometown team in September.
Kris Dunn had 15 points for the Bulls, who lost their ninth in a row.
HORNETS 104, MAGIC 94 >> Kemba Walker had 29 points and seven assists in his return from a shoulder injury to help Charlotte beat Orlando and snap a four-game losing streak.
Dwight Howard had nine rebounds to move past Paul Silas and Dikembe Mutombo for 19th on the alltime NBA rebounding list. PACERS 115, KNICKS 97 >> Thaddeus Young scored 20 points to lead seven Indiana players in double figures in the Pacers’ victory over New York, which played without leading scorers Kristaps Porzingis and Tim Hardaway Jr. for a second consecutive loss.
SUNS 115, 76ERS 101 >> Devin Booker scored 46 points to lead Phoenix past Philadelphia, which was led by Joel Embiid’s 22 points and 12 rebounds.
GRIZZLIES 95, TIMBERWOLVES 92 >> Marc Gasol scored 21 points to help Memphis snap an 11-game losing streak with a victory over Minnesota, which was led by Jimmy Butler’s 30 points.
MAVERICKS 122, NUGGETS 105 >> Harrison Barnes scored 22 points and Dennis Smith Jr. added 20 to spark Dallas past Denver, which was playing without Paul Millsap and Nikola Jokic because of injuries.
Will Barton led the shorthanded Nuggets with 23 points.
NETS 110, HAWKS 90 >> Caris LeVert scored a seasonhigh 17 points and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 16 points for Brooklyn, which trailed Atlanta by a point to start the third quarter but went on a 17-0 run to build an insurmountable lead.
Dennis Schroder had 19 points to lead the Hawks. SPURS 96, PISTONS 93 >> LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 points and 10 rebounds to help San Antonio beat Detroit, which was led by Reggie Jackson’s 27 points. JAZZ 116, WIZARDS 69 >> Alec Burks scored 27 points for Utah, which beat Washington for its sixth victory in a row.
The Wizards set a season low for points, with Otto Porter Jr. leading the way with 14.