OAKLAND – It was with a completely different look that Steph Curry walked to the interview podium Sunday after Warriors practice.
There was a large ice pack wrapped around his right shoulder, a visual that was particularly notable in the wake of weekend reports he is coping with a shoulder injury.
The ice pack was, according to Curry, his comedic response to reports he was having problems with his shoulders.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
“I can't even keep a straight face,” Curry said. “Whoever said I was getting shoulder surgery and all that kind of stuff, we've got bumps and bruises, but every – we’ll be all right."
The ice pack did, however, renew discussion of Curry’s health this postseason.
[POOLE: Warriors: 'LeBron probably made the call' on Green suspension]
The MVP tweaked his right ankle in Game 1 of the first round against Houston, and then sprained his right knee in Game 4 of that series. Diving for a loose ball in Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals against Oklahoma City, Curry landed on a metal support behind courtside seats at Oracle Arena and sustained an elbow contusion.
Golden State Warriors
A Los Angeles Daily News report Saturday evening indicated Curry had met with orthopedists in Southern California and it was discovered he has “issues” with both shoulders as well as both knees. There was the possibility of surgery, according to that report.
Then a CBS Sports report Sunday morning claimed Curry was playing through a shoulder injury.
That Curry was wearing an ice pack may or may not be an indication of an injury. Players often use ice after games and practices, generally to reduce inflammation and swelling. Some players keep their ice treatments confined to the training room, which is out of public view, while others routinely use ice in the open.
[RELATED: Ayesha calls Lebron on 'high road,' stepping over Draymond]
Is Curry actually hurting? Yes. He cited his knee injury being a factor for his withdrawal from consideration for the U.S. Olympic team. He has acknowledged that his knee probably won’t heal until the summer.
Yet he scored 38 points Friday night at Cleveland, leading the Warriors to a 108-97 win over the Cavaliers in Game 4 of the NBA Finals. Curry has not acknowledged any specific injury over the past two weeks.
Asked specifically if he had problems with his shoulders, Curry shrugged off any concern.
We’ll have a much better idea Monday night. Seriously.