Injuries have played at least a minor part in what has turned out to be a physically demanding, exhausting series between the No. 7 Warriors and the No. 2 seeded Rockets. In Game 3, a Warriors victory, Houston was unable to capitalize on Golden State player Jimmy Butler’s pelvic contusion. Throughout the series, there has been a persistent discussion about whether Houston’s defenders are attempting to target star Stephen Curry’s damaged thumb.
The NBA has already released its official injury update, which must be sent in to the league office the day before a game, ahead of the clubs’ pivotal Game 7. Additionally, two Warriors players—Stephen Curry and Gary Payton II—are on the league’s injury list.
Curry’s right thumb injury, which was initially sustained in January, got worse shortly before the playoffs started. Payton also struggles with his left thumb.
However, both are marked as “available” on the league report and are anticipated to participate.
Golden State appeared to be fighting upstream during the Warriors’ 115-107 home defeat the previous time around. During the contest, the Warriors committed 17 turnovers.
“I didn’t like our first half with the turnovers. I think we had 10,” coach Steve Kerr said. “That’s the key to the whole series, is our ball security. The 10 turnovers in the first half got us off to a rough start.
“With that said, we’re down two going into the fourth. … The three wins in the series we were averaging 10 or 11 turnovers. We’re in a rush. We got to slow down a little bit.”
Kerr is correct. The Warriors have committed 46 turnovers in their three losses. They have only committed 34 turnovers in the three victories.
Houston will host Game 7 on Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET. In the conference semifinals, the victor will play the Minnesota Timberwolves.