Curry's Torn Oblique Puts Him on the Shelf for Two Weeks or More: The Fantasy Moves to Make Before Friday in San Antonio

The MRI gave fantasy managers the answer they were dreading. Stephen Curry has a torn oblique, and the Warriors say he will be re-evaluated in two weeks, ESPN and The Associated Press reported Thursday ^[1][2]. Yahoo Sports also reported the two-week timeline ^[3].

Curry got hurt in the first quarter of Wednesday's loss in Houston. ESPN's Anthony Slater reported that the 38-year-old hit a 28-foot 3-pointer off a Draymond Green screen with about 7:22 left in the opening period and yelled out in pain after the release, then left the game with 6:25 to go ^[1]. Coach Steve Kerr said afterward that Curry described it as a feeling he had never had before, ESPN reported ^[1].

Here is what the diagnosis means for your lineup, and how to play the next two weeks without wrecking your season.

How Long Is He Really Out?

Plan on longer than two weeks. ESPN reported that Curry will miss at least the next seven games: San Antonio, New Orleans, Dallas, Memphis, Boston, Sacramento and Portland ^[1]. The AP counted at least six, starting with Friday's game in San Antonio ^[2]. Yardbarker cited ClutchPoints' Brett Siegel, who reported that most players with an oblique tear miss a minimum of about four weeks ^[4].

A re-evaluation date is not a return date, and a team with a star in his 18th season, as the AP noted, has every reason to be careful in November ^[2].

What You Lose

This one hurts. Curry was averaging 27.8 points, 3.9 assists and 3.7 rebounds in just 26.3 minutes a night, ESPN reported, and he was shooting a career-best 45.7 percent from 3-point range ^[1]. The AP noted that he is the NBA's all-time leader in 3-pointers and that the percentage would be the best of his career if he kept it up ^[2].

The Warriors themselves were rolling. Wednesday's defeat snapped an eight-game winning streak and left Golden State at 8-4, the AP reported ^[2]. ESPN noted a warning sign from last season: the Warriors went 13-26 in the 39 games Curry missed ^[1].

What to Do With Curry

Do not drop him. In redraft leagues, move him to an injured list spot the moment your platform allows it and use the open roster spot. In dynasty leagues, this is not the moment to sell; any offer you get this week will be a lowball. In daily games, he is simply out of the player pool for the next two weeks.

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If you are deep enough in your league to consider trading for him, now is the time to ask. A manager staring at a month of zeros may be willing to move him for healthy production, and a healthy Curry in the season's second half is a league-winner.

Who Gains in Golden State

The Warriors are thin. ESPN reported that Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody are still rehabbing long-term knee injuries, Kristaps Porzingis has stepped away from the team, and Brandon Williams is out at least a week with a strained hamstring ^[1]. That means minutes and shots will be concentrated among the players who are left.

The first name to check is rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. Yardbarker reported the 24-year-old is averaging 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 51.8 percent shooting, and suggested he may be asked to carry the offense ^[4]. If he somehow sits on your waiver wire, claim him today. If he is already on your roster, start him every night and expect his usage to climb.

Brandin Podziemski is the other target. Green singled out both Lendeborg and Podziemski as players who are stepping up, ESPN reported ^[1]. "The spirit of this team is better," Green said ^[1]. Podziemski is a sensible pickup in 12-team leagues and deeper, especially for managers who need assists and 3-pointers.

Green himself is worth a look in points leagues. With the team's top creator out, more of the offense will run through him, and his assist totals could rise.

Abby's Bottom Line

Patience is a virtue, and fantasy basketball tests it every season. Stash Curry, grab the healthy Warriors who will soak up his minutes, and do not let one bad Thursday talk you into a panic trade. If you want a fresh start while you wait, the free Liberty Bell Fantasy games at /fantasy let you draft a new lineup every week.