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Stephen Curry to wear protective sleeve for Game 5

By Matt Verderame

May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) pumps his fist in the second half in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 19, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) pumps his fist in the second half in game one of the Western Conference Finals of the NBA Playoffs against the Houston Rockets at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will play in Wednesday night’s Game 5 of the Western Conference Finals against the Houston Rockets, albeit with a protective sleeve on his right arm, according to ESPN. Curry was injury during a scary fall in Game 4, leaving the court in the first half before ultimately returning in the latter stages of the third quarter.

The sleeve will help keep the arm protected from further injury, something that should add at least a little extra comfort to the ailing NBA MVP.

"“It’s just the impact of the fall,” Curry said on ESPN.com. “My whole right side took the brunt of that force, and my head. It’s basically like a bruise all the way up and down your body that you’ve just got to deal with.”"

Curry was trying to contest a shot by Rockets forward Trevor Ariza, who pump-faked and allowed Curry to go over the top. Curry then deflected in mid-air off Ariza and came down awkwardly – and hard – on his back, with both arms in tough position. Curry was officially diagnosed with a head contusion.

Ultimately, both the Warriors and Curry are lucky the injuries turned out to be minor. The franchise has not been to the NBA Finals since 1975, back when Rick Barry led Golden State to a surprising sweep of the favored Washington Bullets. Curry admits he was nervous after hitting the floor so hard, but failed to realize much damage could have been done in that tense moment, per ESPN.

"“You don’t feel anything besides maybe just the bruise on your head, because that was the first thing I felt on the floor,” Curry said. “But I didn’t feel anything else, because you’re just sort of amped up.“It all sort of hits you after the game and then today. When you fall like that, it’s scary. But this [the elbow injury] is something you’re going to deal with throughout your career, whether you run into a screen or get hit. You might take a charge or something and get bruised up. I can deal with that. So all is good.”"

Should the Warriors be able to close out the Rockets on Wednesday night, they will have until June 4 to relax and rest up for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Considering the injuries on both sides, the rest might be exactly what each team desperately needs.

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