Warriors Head into Playoffs Hoping Injuries Heal

The Golden State Warriors are currently placed 2nd in the Western Conference and have already clinched the playoffs. However, the defending NBA champs are having difficulty keeping players healthy since they have all of their starters on the injury list. It all started with Stephen Curry’s ankle, then Durant’s bruised ribs, Thompson’s thumb and Draymond’s illness and elbow injury.

Recently, Patrick McCaw fell on his spine as he went up to the basket for a layup where Vince Carter interrupted his fall and accidentally made McCaw vulnerable as he fell to the hardwood court. Fortunately, McCaw’s medical test came back with positive news and he might return sooner than expected. With so many injuries that are daunting the Warriors, there are doubts that they can compete in the playoffs. The mentality of this team is uniquely positive, and that is thanks to coach Steve Kerr.

Kerr reminds EVERYONE on the team to be ready because they never know when they’ll be needed. And that was true when the bench players had to step up and fill in the shoes of not only the starters, but all-stars as well. One particular player is standing out, Quinn Cook. An exemplary player who was called from the G League to fill in as Point Guard for Stephen Curry. Cook saw this opportunity to show the Warriors that he deserves a spot in the NBA. He is averaging 9.5 points per game, 2.8 assists per game and 2.4 rebounds per game. Not to mention he dropped 30 points against Milwaukee and 28 against the Suns. He is currently in serious talks to get a 2-year contract with the Warriors.

This might have been a scary situation for the Warriors losing so many people to injuries, but it opened up an opportunity for young players to show what they had and THAT they did. I wouldn’t say that the Warriors are in trouble, I would say that they are actually building toward something even greater.