NBA Finals Injury Report: More Worry For Jayson Tatum Shoulder Injury Than Stephen Curry Foot

Star G Stephen Curry appeared to suffer a left foot injury in the fourth quarter of the Warriors' loss to the Celtics in Game 3 while star Boston forward Jayson Tatum again seemed irritated by right shoulder stinger that has flared up throughout the finals. 

Stephen Curry Injury Update - SIC Score 87

The superstar had his left leg rolled up on and twisted by Al Horford during a mad scramble for a loose ball with 4:07 left in the game. 

Curry was jittery and grimacing on the ground after the initial injury. The Davidson alum initially stayed in the game, but was pulled – with the rest of the starters – after Boston took a 14-point lead at the 2:19 mark.

Based on initial video analysis by our team of Pro Basketball Docs, we do not have significant worry that he will miss time or that this is a bad aggravation of the mid-foot injury. The way Horford fell on him, there is potentially more concern for a high ankle/MCL injury than a mid-foot sprain as the mechanism doesn't fit. 

The 34-year-old could be seen limping to the podium post-game, comparing the new injury to the one suffered in Boston March 16 as “the same” but “not as bad." 

We agree with this assessment as there is no way the injury is as bad as the regular season sprain and although overnight swelling can occur, our Pro Basketball Docs hold cautious optimism on what Curry is saying is true. 

Before the playoffs began, Curry had missed 12 straight games due to a mid foot sprain suffered after a dive by Celtics PG Marcus Smart. The play in Game 3 was eerily similar but lacked the same mechanism for injury as the Smart dive. 

Curry scored 31 points with four rebounds and two steals Game 3, and is averaging 31.3 points, five rebounds, and 3.7 assists on 48.6% shooting in the Finals. 

Jaysom Tatum Injury Update - SIC Score 76

The All-NBA first teamer was again seen grabbing at his right shoulder in what feels like a common occurrence in these Finals.

Sicscore.com alluded to the issue when the flare-ups were first reported as this is something that does not go away. In fact, our Pro Basketball Docs believe that the flare-ups will continue to happen and more often due to how frequent they are already occurring. 

In terms of performance, Tatum has gone under his points prop in 7 of his last ten games including the last four games which may be coincided to the shoulder issue that has popped up frequently. 

The Duke alum posted a solid stat line of 26 points, 9 assits and 6 boards Game 3 in a 16-point drubbing of the Warriors. 

With the most recent injury in the minds of many, the real concern is the recurring Tatum shoulder issue that we talked about as early May 25th. Curry holds a higher SIC score than Tatum showing how our panel of Pro Basketball Docs feel about each teams stars going forward.