Warriors Coach Blames Congested Playoff Schedule for Curry Hamstring Injury

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr attributed Steph Curry's hamstring injury during the Western Conference semifinals to the NBA's congested playoff schedule, highlighting the physical toll of playing multiple high-intensity games in a short span. Curry played extensive minutes in the final games against the Houston Rockets and then had limited recovery before the series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, with Kerr and the Warriors' director of sports medicine, Rick Celebrini, agreeing that inadequate recovery and fatigue led to the injury. Curry's absence for four of the five games severely impacted the Warriors' performance, contributing to their five-game series loss to the Timberwolves. Kerr expressed frustration that despite valid concerns about player health and wear and tear, the NBA prioritizes revenue over player well-being. The Warriors had hoped Curry could return if the series extended beyond five games, but without him, they struggled to advance. The situation underscores broader calls for the league to reconsider its playoff scheduling to better protect players' health.