The Golden State Warriors lost Game 3 of their Western conference playoff series 102-95 on Friday night and following the game star guard Stephen Curry needed treatment on his previously injured sprained ankle and he is a gametime decision for Sunday's matchup in California for Game 4, while the Spurs also could be down a point guard.
Tony Parker missed practice for the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, but all signs point to him starting, while his counterpart in Curry could miss his first game of the playoffs after being injured in the previous series against the Nuggets. The Warriors upset the Denver Nuggets in the first round, winning the series 4-2 in six games behind some fantastic play from Curry, who in the process proved himself to be one of the best shooters in the game with his performance.
Curry was dominant and he helped the team win three straight games after losing the first of the series, including only the fourth home defeat for the Nuggets all season in Denver in Game 2. Curry originally hurt his ankle in that game and he has played through pain ever since and it flared up again in Game 3 in Friday in the fourth quarter. Curry was fantastic in the Game 1 loss after leading the team with 44 points, but his stellar shooting performance wasn't enough as the Warriors blew a 16 point lead at the end of the fourth quarter. The game went into double overtime and saw Manu Ginobili hit a last second three pointer to give the Spurs the game.
Oracle Arena was rocking on Friday for Game 3 despite the loss and the team is expecting the fans ot be as enthusiastic again despite the 2-1 hole in the series. Jarrett Jack has been solid for the Warriors and he likely would be the one to get the minutes to replace Curry if he can't play on Sunday. Curry had ankle issues in the Nuggets series and the days off schedule allowed him to heal up and not miss any playing time and despite having just one day off between games he was confident that he will be on the court. Curry has struggled over the past two games after dropping 44 points in the first matchup and the Warriors will need him to be at his best to win Game 4 on Sunday.
Parker was hurt in Game 3 after getting a kick to the calf from Andrew Bogut by accident and despite the injury he had 32 points in the game and unless he has a setback the point guard is expected to start on Sunday. Jack has been good of the bench for the Warriors and he has experience while starting over 350 games in his career and he may get the call again in Game 4. Coach Mark Jackson has preached tough defense to his team and the Warriors will try to limit the damage from Parker and Ginobili while also keeping Tim Duncan from posting another double double, which has been a constant occurrence for the veteran champ in the playoffs this year.
