Hamstring strain recovery timeline: How soon could Warriors star Stephen Curry return in NBA playoffs?

During Game 1 against the Timberwolves, Stephen Curry suffered a hamstring injury that forced him out of the game after just 13 minutes of action.

The injury happened early in the game, but Golden State quickly ruled him out before halftime even arrived. While the Warriors had to find a way to regroup without their best player for the rest of the game, the ramifications of the injury extend beyond Tuesday night.

The Warriors' chances at winning this series and making another championship run likely rely on how serious Curry's injury is. While Golden State competed well during Game 1, it will be hard for the team to keep it up the longer they are without their point guard.

So, how long will Curry be out? Here's a breakdown.

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Hamstring strain recovery timeline

Typically, hamstring strain recovery times depend on how severe the strain is. According to several doctors, Grade 1 strains usually last around 10 days, which would be 4-6 games during a regular season schedule. If that's the case for Curry, he would probably be at risk of missing most of the second-round series vs. Minnesota, with a chance to return the longer the series lasts.

However, more serious versions of the injury will lead to longer recovery times. A Grade 2 strain would cost Curry closer to a month of action, meaning he could be at risk of missing both this series and a Western Conference finals series. Finally, a Grade 3 hamstring strain would cost Curry a few months, meaning he would be out for the rest of the playoffs.

Severity of the strain will ultimately dictate how much time Steph Curry potentially misses. Average time lost for confirmed G1 strain is ~10 days. That jumps to ~31 days for G2 strains. Time lost for nondescript strains is ~12 days.

The Warriors have yet to reveal the grade on Curry's hamstring strain, and they may not publicize it as long as they are still alive in the playoffs.

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Stephen Curry injury history

It is worth noting that, while Curry has had his share of injuries throughout his career, he typically has avoided hamstring injuries. This would be Curry's first known hamstring injury since entering the league in 2009, so it's tough to tell how his body will respond to the injury.