SB Nation Bay Area - Warriors Vs. Suns: Monta Ellis' Game-Winning Fadeaway Ices Suns 106-104

Stephen Curry Injury: Warriors Guard To Miss All-Star Skills Challenge

2012-02-24T00:05:40Z

Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry will not get the chance to defend his title in the Taco Bell NBA Skills Challenge during the upcoming All-Star weekend in Orlando due to the right foot strain he suffered in Wednesday night's victory over the Phoenix Suns.

Lance Young, Curry's agent, told NBA.com's Sekou Smith that Steph will use the weekend off to rest up and get some rehab done on his foot, though the injury is said to be separate from his oft injured ankle. He's already missed nine games this shortened season due to that pesky ankle.

Curry has been listed as day-to-day, and won't have to suit up again until next Tuesday, giving him ample time to get healthy.

Curry could have become only the third player to win back-to-back Skill Challenge challenges, along with Steve Nash and Dwyane Wade.

This year's Challenge will have Kyrie Irving, Tony Parker, John Wall, Russell Westbrook and Deron Williams.

For more on the Warriors, please check out Golden State of Mind.

Monta Ellis Insane Game Winner For Warriors Vs. Suns [VIDEO]

2012-02-23T05:55:35Z

Monta Ellis had never beaten the Phoenix Suns in Phoenix before tonight's game. It sure seemed as if he was determined to do something about it with his fourth quarter performance.

With Stephen Curry and Ekpe Udoh both hurting themselves earlier and Golden State blowing a decent lead in the second half, Ellis was determined to finish this one right. Ellis drew excellent Suns defender Grant Hill, who was determined to not let Ellis drive past him and to the basket.

So Ellis had to do something slightly more insane. How about a stop, spin turnaround jumper off the wrong foot?

Check out the video of the play after the jump.

Warriors Vs Suns - Monta Elli's Game Winner Fadeaway - (22-2-2012) (via FunkyAxel11)

Yeah, it's going to be pretty hard for anyone to defend that. Tip your cap to Ellis for having the skill to do that.

To talk about Ellis and the Warriors, head on over to Golden State of Mind.

Stephen Curry Injury: Warriors Guard Suffers Right Foot Sprain

2012-02-23T04:53:19Z

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry left the team's matchup with the Phoenix Suns at the U.S. Airways Center after playing only nine minutes, suffering a sprain in his right foot in the first quarter.

Curry missed a layup with 2:30 remaining in the first when landed a bit awkwardly, trying his best not to but any weight on it. He began to limp and hobble down the court, and was relieved by Nate Robinson soon after.

Curry headed to the locker room with nine points and two assists, and came back right before the half to try and give it a go again, but really seemed to be aggravated by it then and never returned. He had x-rays done that were negative, but his status for the near future in unknown.

Curry was supposed to take part in the skills challenge as part of this weekend's All-Star festivities down in Orlando, but likely won't take part considering the injury. Luckily he's got the break to rest up before the team hit's the road early next week.

For more on the Warriors, head over to Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Vs. Suns: Monta Ellis Last Second Jumper Seals 106-104 Victory

2012-02-23T04:29:59Z

The Golden State Warriors used their highest scoring half the season to take a sizable lead over the Phoenix Suns halfway through Wednesday night's game at the U.S. Airways Center, but watched it disappear down the stretch just like so many other W's games this year.

The Warriors led by as much as 19 at one point in the first half, but lost guard Stephen Curry once more to injury, leaving them a bit shorthanded. Phoenix kept chipping away, eventually earning their first lead with less than four minutes left in the fourth, trading blows with the Warriors down to the wire. The Suns were down two when they called a timeout with 19.4 seconds left, setting up a Grant Hill drive to tie the game up.

And with 11 seconds left, Monta Ellis spent some time and drained a step back jumper over Grant Hill with one second left, sealing the Warriors first victory in Phoenix since March of 2005, their first in their last 13 attempts there.

Monta played 44 minutes tonight, finishing the game with 26 points and six assists, while Dorell Wright was Golden State's spark plug tonight, keeping an agressive mindset to finish with 23 points and seven rebounds. David Lee had 22, while Nate Robinson had 14 off the bench.

As for the Suns, Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat combined for 43 points, while Jerad Dudley added 17.

Golden State now enters the All-Star break with a two-game winning streak, though has a stretch of seven of their next ten games on the road waiting for them.

For more on the Warriors head over to Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Vs. Suns, Halftime Update: Dorell Wright On The Attack, W's Up 59-45

2012-02-23T03:09:10Z

The Golden State Warriors are off to a great start in their attempt to end their elongated losing streak at the U.S. Airways Center, where their highest scoring half of the season has them up 59-45 at the half against the Phoenix Suns Wednesday night.

David Lee is pacing the W's so far, leading the team with 15 points and three rebounds, but Dorell Wright came out in attack mode tonight, finishing the half with 13 points on 4-6 shooting and has been a big factor in the W's lead so far. Monta Ellis has nine and two assists.

Stephen Curry and Ekpe Udoh both left the game in the first half with injury, but hopefully both will be fine. Curry has nine points and two assists as well.

As for the Suns, Jerad Dudley leads the way for the Suns with 13 points in the first half, while Grant Hill has seven. Steve Nash has only three points but five assists.

Golden State needs to keep their foot on the gas if they want to enter the All-Star break with a winning streak.

For more on the Warriors, please check out Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Vs. Suns: Stephen Curry, Ekpe Udoh Leave Game With Injuries

2012-02-23T02:49:32Z

It has remained dormant for a while now, but Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry’s oft-injured ankle/foot has been tweaked once again, causing him to limp off the floor in the first quarter of the Warriors game against the Phoenix Suns at the U.S. Airways Center.

Curry came down awkwardly under the basket, and starting hoping gingerly as to keep from putting pressure on his foot. He limped back upcourt before a foul allowed a substitution.

Steph had already scored nine points and had two assists before he left for Nate Robinson with 2:17 left in the first quarter, and is a terrible sight for Golden State fan’s as No. 30 headed back to the locker room immediately after being relieved by Robinson.

As for Udoh, he left the game in the second quarter favoring the knee he injured against the Clippers. He and Curry’s status remain uncertain for the rest of the night.

For more on the Warriors, head over to Golden State of Mind.

Warriors Vs. Suns Preview: Building Momentum Into The All-Star Break

2012-02-22T18:13:41Z

The Golden State Warriors are coming off one of their better victories of the season after taking out the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena Monday night, while the Phoenix Suns have easily taken their last two contests, looking to make it a third at the U.S. Airways Center before the All-Star break.

But the W's head to the Grand Canyon State to face a well-weathered Suns team that has played an NBA high 14 games this month already, and still have one more before the much needed midseason break.

Phoenix isn't a place Golden State has much success, losing it's last 13 straight contests there including a 102-91 loss at the beginning of January. In fact, Monta Ellis has never won a game there. His career 37.8 percent shooting at the U.S. Airways Center is the lowest of any arena he's played in.

Golden State took out Phoenix a few weeks ago at Oracle 102-96 behind a big night from David Lee (28 and 12 boards) and will likely need some similar output tonight, especially as Marcin Gortat has averaged 20 points and 12 rebounds over his last three games.

Tipoff is set for 6:00 p.m PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area.

For more insight on the Warriors, please check out Golden State of Mind.

Shold Ekpe Udoh Be The Golden State Warriors' New Starting Center?

2012-02-21T14:50:02Z

Golden State Warriors starting center Andris Biedrins was held out of Monday's game against the Los Angeles Clippers Monday night due to illness, pushing second year big man Ekpe Udoh into the starting lineup against guys like Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Udoh made the most of the opportunity, finishing the game with 19 points and eight rebounds, playing a huge role in the W's 104-97 victory.

But with the almost invisible performances that Biedrins has been putting up for over a season now, should Mark Jackson look to leave Udoh in the starting lineup full time, or keep him as part of the energetic and often effective 'dubstitutes?'

Golden State has a serous lack of depth in their front court without Kwame Brown, and Biedrins is their biggest body height/length wise. He's also arguably their least effective player, while Udoh brings energy on both ends of the floor, and has really been finding his offensive game as of late. Coach Jackson said he'll take his time before naming Udoh the starter but has played well enough to demand more minutes, and that Monday's performance was the "icing on the cake" of his improved play over the last month or so.

Ekpe banged his knee on Randy Foye's late in the game, but hopefully won't be a serious injury. If he's good to go, he could likely be the starter once more in Phoenix on Sunday. Here, Ekpe talks about his performance against the Clippers as well as his growing confidence thanks to Coach Jackson:

Staring or not, Udoh should be seeing his minutes continue to increase.

For more on the Warriors, make sure you check out Golden State of Mind.