Superstar Stephen Curry is set to miss at least two weeks of the NBA playoffs, throwing added responsibility on Andrew Bogut and the rest of his Golden State Warriors team to defend their title.
Reigning league MVP Curry has been diagnosed with a grade one medial ligament strain in his knee and will miss at least two weeks before he is reassessed.
Warriors general manager Bob Myers said Curry's type of injury was historically one that keeps a player out for anywhere from two to three weeks.
"We'll know a little bit more hopefully after the first week. It's how his body responds to rest, treatment and things like that," Myers said.
The injury means he'll miss the rest of Golden State's first-round series against the Houston Rockets - Warriors lead 3-1 - and if the team progresses, probably a good portion of their second round, most likely against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Curry tweeted: "Thanks 4 all the prayers & messages. Can feel all the positive energy. God is Great! All things considered I'm Gonna be alright!"
Curry suffered the injury during the game four win in Houston on Sunday when he slipped on a wet patch on the floor.
The Warriors will look to close out their best-of-seven, first-round series against the Rockets on Wednesday and will take comfort from the way they have stepped up in Curry's absence.
He missed the whole second half after being injured on Sunday but his teammates picked up the slack to complete a comfortable win.
Curry also missed games two and three with a right ankle injury.
"When you have a team that is as together as ours is and cares about each other like ours does, you tend to pick up the fight a little bit," said Warriors coach Steve Kerr.
"Our guys sensed that we needed to come together."
Australian centre Bogut made it clear the Warriors backed their allround depth to overcome the loss of their point guard and main scoring weapon.
"Steph's our leader and MVP, but at the same time and without sounding insensitive to Steph, we have a game we are trying to win," Bogut said after the game four win.
"... We weren't around here lighting candles and holding hands."
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