Shaquille O’Neal believes excessive running is breaking Stephen Curry’s 37-year-old body

Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry's latest hamstring injury could deter their hopes of advancing past the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Shaquille O’Neal believes excessive running is breaking Stephen Curry’s 37-year-old body

Shaquille O'Neal believes Stephen Curry's body is taking a toll (Image via Firstsportz)

The Golden State Warriors had one day rest before they had to travel to Minneapolis to take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. That meant Stephen Curry and his teammates had to recover as fast as possible before starting their second-round battle.

Minnesota managed to edge the Warriors in the first quarter, but it was not a significant lead. The away team then started to unleash on the Wolves, with Curry leading the way with 13 quick points. He seemed to be on a mission, sending high-arcing shots over the rangy Wolves.

But when the clock displayed 8:45 seconds of the 2nd quarter, the two-time league MVP signalled to his bench that he needed to sub out. Replays showed that the superstar was grabbing his left thigh, which indicated his hamstring was an issue.

TNT courtside reporter Lauren Jbara confirmed that Curry did suffer a hamstring injury and would not return to the game. His Warriors still won the game after stopping the Wolves from scoring at their usual pace. At halftime, when Inside the NBA were discussing the injury and how it can impact the series, Shaquille O’Neal said:

Older, maybe he’s starting to break down. He moves a lot for a 36- 37-year-old. Rest him for game 2, give him a couple of more days rest, possibly bring him in Game 3.

Shaquille O’Neal said.

The Big Aristotle believes all the running around Stephen Curry does could be hurting him. He is 37 years old, and players that old do not run on the court as much as he does. O’Neal believes the team will now have to carefully manage his return.

Stephen Curry’s hamstring injury could require some time off

If Shaquille O’Neal‘s words are to be followed, then the Golden State Warriors should avoid playing Stephen Curry in Game 2. It is in Minneapolis, and it is better if he treats his hamstring and recovers so that he can play in Game 3.

Golden State Warriors have to manage Stephen Curry's absence
Golden State Warriors have to manage Stephen Curry’s absence (Image via Open Source/X)

Even if he does not recover in time for Game 3, then Game 4 will be a possible return date. Returning for that game would mean he would have had 5 days to recover. Usually, a Grade 1 hamstring injury requires 7-10 days to heal.

Hopefully for the Warriors, it is not a Grade 2 strain, as that would need 2 weeks to recover. But Steve Kerr and the Warriors know how a series can flip even if they are up a couple of games. The Houston Rockets nearly beat the brakes off them, but thankfully, they managed to win the series in Game 7.

That lack of rest could take its toll on the veteran core of Curry, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, and Buddy Hield. If they can win this series early, they can get the rest they require before taking on their next opponents in the Western Conference Finals.

Warriors’ win helps NBA set a new record

The Golden State Warriors played the second of the playoff semifinal games scheduled today. Yesterday, the Denver Nuggets trumped the Oklahoma City Thunder in the final few seconds of Game 1. That was the second instance of a game being decided in the dying seconds.

The New York Knicks came back to win against the Boston Celtics in overtime. The previous day, the Indiana Pacers did the same to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This means, all four playoff semifinal games were won by lower seed teams.

This happens to be the first time in the 78-year history of the NBA. In a season when Commissioner Adam Silver was struggling to find ways to bring fans back into the game, he is getting positive results every day the league is in session.

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