Chapter 705: Curry Injured
The entire arena erupted in cheers.
However, the sound did not last long before it faded.
On the court, Curry, who had just completed a 3 plus 1 play, was clutching his right ankle, his expression filled with pain.
"Stephen, how are you?"
"Stephen, what happened?"
His teammates immediately gathered around him.
"Move back a bit. Give him some air," Chen Yan said calmly, pushing his teammates away.
At that moment, the team doctor rushed over and whispered a few questions to Curry.
Then Curry left the court, supported by his teammates and an assistant coach.
The entire arena fell silent.
Only scattered applause rang out as Curry disappeared into the player tunnel.
Curry's departure was undoubtedly terrible news for the Knicks.
A huge blow.
This was not his 1st ankle sprain.
On August 18, 2010, Curry had stepped on a teammate's foot during practice, resulting in a left ankle sprain.
In fact, that injury was not particularly severe. It did not even rank very high in Curry's professional career.
But that injury was Curry's 3rd left ankle sprain in 18 months.
2 months later, Curry sprained his right ankle again in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
At the time, the team doctor explained that the injury to the left ankle had placed too much pressure on the right ankle.
In other words, that ankle sprain had caused a chain reaction, making both of Curry's ankles fragile.
However, that was only the beginning.
In the opening game, Curry sprained his right ankle again.
In the 2010 to 11 season, Curry played a total of 74 games, but he was constantly troubled by ankle injuries.
That season, Curry sprained his right ankle 5 times.
It frustrated him so much that during the offseason, he underwent surgery to repair the ankle injury.
It was worth mentioning that during that surgery, the doctor repaired 2 tendons for Curry.
The doctor later revealed that Curry's tendons at the time were like a worn sweater, constantly tearing.
The doctor also said there was swollen tissue and cartilage debris inside Curry's ankle.
This surgery did not completely solve Curry's injury problems.
In fact, there was almost no difference compared to before.
Shortly after the 2011 to 12 season began, Curry sprained his right ankle twice.
And in early 2012, in a game against the San Antonio Spurs, he sprained his ankle again.
That injury caused him to miss 8 consecutive games.
In March, when Chen Yan first arrived, Curry also missed more than 1 week of games due to ankle problems.
This was also 1 reason the outside world was not optimistic about Curry.
He was too fragile.
"Oh, Stephen is being helped off the court," Barkley said. "That is not good news for the Knicks."
Kenny Smith nodded with a solemn expression.
"He does not look like he will be back on the floor anytime soon. New York's offensive burden will fall entirely on Chen Yan's shoulders. He is going to face enormous pressure and challenges from here on."
Barea replaced Curry on the court.
Chen Yan took Curry's place to shoot the free throw from the 3 plus 1 play.
Swish!
63 to 52.
It went in steadily, and the noise from the crowd picked up a little.
"Back on defense! Back on defense! Guard your man!" Chen Yan loudly called out to the teammates around him.
Curry's unexpected departure had distracted them somewhat, and Chen Yan had to pull them back into the game.
Miami attacked, with James initiating the offense.
Battier directly gave him 1 step of space, inviting him to shoot.
James had no intention of shooting.
With the opponent's 2nd leading scorer out, he preferred to close the gap in a stable manner.
James held the ball in his right hand and accelerated.
Battier puffed out his chest and met him, immediately being pushed back 1 step by James.
James exaggerated physical power was no joke.
However, Battier was no pushover either.
Although he was white and his athletic ability was average, Battier's fighting spirit was always there. In his career, he had several moments of fighting bravely after being injured.
Battier held his breath and continued to follow.
James tried to change direction, but could not shake him off.
Battier used his rich defensive experience to anticipate James movement.
James pulled up directly from the high arc.
Clang!
The sound of an air ball rang out.
The arena erupted in applause.
This applause was for Battier.
His defense on this possession was perfect, leaving James with no options.
The Knicks wanted to transition from defense to offense.
Chen Yan had just rushed past the 3 point line with the ball when he encountered a triple team.
With Curry out, Miami's defense on Chen Yan became even more unrestrained.
Both Wade and James were highly mobile players, and they almost forced Chen Yan into a turnover.
Chen Yan made an extreme pass through a tight gap.
Battier took a transition 3 pointer.
It was an opportunity, but he missed.
Compared to this kind of athletic transition shot, Battier preferred spot up shots.
Miami immediately transitioned from defense to offense.
After receiving the ball, Wade drove straight to the basket and scored 2 points.
63 to 54.
Chen Yan's marking of Wade had clearly relaxed quite a bit.
With Curry off the court, he had to focus more on the offensive end.
New York attacked.
Al Harrington came up for a pick and roll.
As soon as Chen Yan started moving, Miller and Wade immediately double teamed him.
Chen Yan passed to Al Harrington, and James immediately rotated over to cover.
Al Harrington saw no opportunity and passed the ball back to Chen Yan.
Chen Yan did not dribble. He observed both wings.
Miami was ready to double team at any moment, and if he drove inside, Gasol was waiting to greet him.
The Heat had almost all their defensive attention locked on Chen Yan.
Without a shooter like Curry drawing outside defensive attention, the difference was quite significant.
Chen Yan called for another pick and roll.
This time, Kenyon Martin came up to screen.
Chen Yan chose not to pass. Instead, he lowered his body and accelerated, immediately slipping past the double team.
He now had to use various tricks to break Miami's double teams.
Otherwise, New York's offense would become stagnant.
Chen Yan broke the double team and continued accelerating toward the basket.
Gasol had been pulled out and could not get back in time.
Miller in the corner only symbolically retreated 1 step.
He knew he could not stop Chen Yan.
Chen Yan quickly scored 2 points.
65 to 54.
Miami attacked.
Wade initiated the offense through a pick and roll.
As New York's defense collapsed inward, Wade immediately passed the ball to the arc.
Chalmers was waiting there.
He received the ball and hit an open 3 pointer.
65 to 57.
The Knicks quickly inbounded.
Chen Yan took the ball and rapidly pushed forward.
It would be difficult to play in a set offense, so he had to attack while Miami's defense was still unsettled.
Chen Yan made a quick crossover, cutting toward the baseline.
Wade and James were both drawn in.
Chen Yan passed the ball to Al Harrington on the outside.
Al Harrington caught the ball and shot, not noticing Miller rushing up behind him.
Miller blocked the shot from the side rear, changing the ball's trajectory.
It fell directly into Wade's hands under the basket.
Wade immediately threw the ball ahead with 1 hand, and James charged forward like a football player.
The Knicks were in the middle of transitioning from offense to defense, and their formation was scattered.
This was James favorite sight.
James drove all the way to the basket and finished with a tomahawk dunk.
The Knicks players could only avoid him.
Otherwise, they would likely give James a 2 plus 1.
65 to 59.
Nelson called a timeout.
Miami was slowly closing the gap.
.....
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