The Golden State Warriors were looking strong for their run through the last month of the season. Draymond Green just returned to action after a long absence, and the Warriors expect James Wiseman to be healthy in time for the Playoffs. However, a massive blow may have been dealt by Marcus Smart after Stephen Curry was injured while Smart made a play for a loose ball.
Smart is known to be a physical player that is an aggressive defender, but intentionally hurting an opponent is not a very common occurrence from him. When Smart dove for the loose ball, he took Curry down with him after getting caught up with Curry’s leg. The all-time three-point leader was unable to run down the court in the next play.
The Warriors finished the game against the Boston Celtics without Curry at their disposal after he was ruled out for the game following the play. The Celtics carried the win out, holding the Warriors to 90 points with the final score being 110-88.
Steph Curry officially out for the game with what team is calling left foot soreness following this play pic.twitter.com/6edSJxQszv
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 17, 2022
On the very next play, Smart ended up trying to block a Klay Thompson shot with his feet, which got him called for a flagrant one. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was not pleased with Smart’s play at all, audibly yelling ‘you were trying to hurt him’ towards the Celtics star.
In addition to Kerr, many fans echoed that sentiment and have brought Smart under fire for his actions, with people equating this to the LeBron James injury last season at the hands of Solomon Hill that derailed the Lakers season.
Marcus Smart and Steve Kerr had a conversation after Steph went back to the locker room with a rolled ankle.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) March 17, 2022
Looks like Kerr was yelling at Marcus Smart “YOU WERE TRYING TO HURT HIM”, after Smart dove into Steph’s knees.
pic.twitter.com/Z6dpXkCAC5
— TheWarriorsTalk (@TheWarriorsTalk) March 17, 2022
Thank you Marcus Smart you ruined everyone night congratulations
— Pooh 👹 (@Bounc5ack9800) March 17, 2022
Marcus Smart just tried to block a shot by kicking it in Klay Thompson's hands, which only he would be batshit insane enough to try. Flagrant one obviously but that was hilarious
— Jared Weiss (@JaredWeissNBA) March 17, 2022
Marcus Smart be doin too much, man. Shredded Steph’s ankle then sprinted down court and karate kicked Klay in the chest
— Caleb Odunze (@Jae_Franco) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/DrGuru_/status/1504292223189491713
Nope. Marcus Smart is a dirty player. pic.twitter.com/zekjy8hUMV
— 30🅿️roblemz (@30problemz) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/ramon_rican/status/1504291857148399619
Marcus Smart came to SF, took Steph out and karate chopped Klay. Left untouched. We are losing recipe
— Beke (@BK9419) March 17, 2022
I’ll give a media member $1k to charge the podium when marcus smart gets there
— Denver📈🇵🇸 (@doubledworth) March 17, 2022
Marcus Smart against the Warriors pic.twitter.com/YXP6iptvOv
— Johnny (9-10) (@WarriorsIn4Lol) March 17, 2022
https://twitter.com/SwaggyCTV/status/1504291403622322179
Losing Steph Curry will be a massive blow for the Warriors, especially with the performances of the Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks under them.
A four-game deficit isn’t hard to make up if they keep winning and the Warriors have to re-adjust to playing without Steph. Here’s to hoping that Curry isn’t injured and we can go into one of the most exciting post-seasons in recent history.
