Warriors confirm Curry’s oblique tear; reevaluation in two weeks

November 12 late update: Smart suspended three games

The NBA suspended Houston guard Marcus Smart for three games without pay after the league said his punch made contact with Charles Bassey’s face during Wednesday’s game. Smart received a Flagrant Foul 2 and was ejected with 21 seconds left in the third quarter. His suspension begins Friday, November 13, when Houston hosts Utah. The league announced the decision Thursday; this is a later update to the game report.

November 12: MRI result confirmed

November 12 evening update: Golden State says Curry’s MRI confirmed an oblique abdominal tear. The team will reevaluate him in two weeks.

ESPN’s Anthony Slater reports that Curry will miss at least seven games, while sources told Shams Charania the Warriors are preparing for an absence closer to a month. The club’s two-week checkpoint is a reevaluation, not a promised return date. Golden State is 8-4 after Wednesday’s 115-108 loss in Houston. The original postgame report follows.

November 11 game: Houston 115, Golden State 108

Stephen Curry left Wednesday’s game in Houston with right abdominal soreness and went for an MRI during the second half. The Rockets beat Golden State 115-108, ending the Warriors’ eight-game winning streak. Steve Kerr said afterward that the scan results were not yet known.

Curry made a 3-pointer with 7:22 left in the first quarter before leaving the court. The official box score credits him with three points in 5 minutes, 35 seconds. Golden State ruled him out for the remainder of the game.

The Associated Press report carried by NBA.com says Kerr’s concern was high but that he did not yet know the extent of the injury. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that the MRI concerned Curry’s abdomen and oblique area. The team’s announced description remained right abdominal soreness; there was no verified diagnosis or return timetable at this morning’s check.

Houston finishes the game; Golden State awaits the scan

Golden State still received 25 points from Yaxel Lendeborg and 22 from Brandin Podziemski. Houston had a broader scoring balance: Kevin Durant scored 20, Alperen Sengun and Amen Thompson 19 each, and Fred VanVleet 18. Sengun also collected 13 rebounds.

The result leaves Houston 9-3 and Golden State 8-4 in the official standings. Curry entered the night averaging 30.6 points, according to the AP report. Losing him after fewer than six minutes removed the Warriors’ leading scoring threat from most of a seven-point game.

Golden State is scheduled to visit San Antonio on Friday, November 13, at 9:30 p.m. Eastern. The schedule identifies the next game; Curry’s availability still depends on information the club had not announced after Wednesday’s loss.