SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry injured his left ankle late in the third quarter of Sunday's 112-104 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, tried to return then exited again and left the court for the locker room.
Curry returned briefly at the 8:08 mark of the fourth quarter before exiting again 13 seconds later after turning the ankle — it appeared to roll outward — again during an offensive possession. It happened near the end of Golden State's bench and he limped into the tunnel that goes to the locker room.
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Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center front, hobbles off the court after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center, yells after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center, holds his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) stretches his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) tries to block Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
The team said he was done for the night with a sprained left ankle and coach Steve Kerr said after the game that Curry would undergo an MRI exam Sunday night.
“He’s doing OK. He said it was, I think he used the word mild or moderate," Kerr said. “He’s obviously sprained the ankle many times before so he doesn’t think it’s too bad, but obviously it’s a concern.”
Curry was along the key being defended by Kris Dunn when he cut away from Dunn toward the baseline and reinjured the ankle. It was at the 2:43 mark of the third quarter when Curry initially hobbled to the bench at sat the remainder of the period.
The two-time MVP and NBA all-time 3-point leader finished with 18 points, six assists and four rebounds, shooting 6 for 11 with four 3-pointers.
The 36-year-old Curry is beginning his 16th NBA season and has dealt with regular ankle issues on both his right and left feet.
“You don’t replace Steph Curry but we do have a deep team, that’s what the numbers are for,” guard Moses Moody said.
Curry's teammates hope he isn't sidelined for long.
“Shake my head, hate to have it, especially with him,” guard Gary Payton II said. “We’ll be all right.”
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center front, hobbles off the court after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center, yells after sustaining an injury to his left ankle in the fourth quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry, center, holds his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry (30) stretches his left ankle after sustaining an injury in the third quarter of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) looks down the court during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Clippers in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) tries to block Los Angeles Clippers guard James Harden (1) during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024. (AP Photo/Nic Coury)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Saquon Barkley’s wicked run defied gravity. The former high school high jumper used a reverse leap over the head of a defender to get a first down, a spontaneous, stupendous feat that left the Eagles — and much of the sports world — gobsmacked.
Barkley went high, then chalked up the move to a higher power.
“Sometimes,” he said, “you just gotta let go and let your God-given instincts take over.”
Philadelphia (6-2) has learned through eight games it might be best for coach Nick Sirianni to let go and trust Barkley to take over the offense.
At his best, Barkley’s play has risen to the ranks of best in the NFL, and his otherworldly runs have made him one of the best free-agent signings of the offseason.
Barkley’s performances over the last four games — including 199 total yards and two TDs in a win over Jacksonville — are a critical reason why the Eagles have won four straight games since their bye.
“We knew he was special. Just when you’re preparing to play against special players in this league, they tend to take so much of your time up of you thinking about them and you preparing to stop them,” Sirianni said. “I think when you’re around him on a daily basis it’s safe to say, yes, that he’s even more special than I could have even imagined.”
Yes, the Eagles have feasted on a schedule that went heavy on some of the worst teams in the NFL, but it’s how they’ve corrected some early-season flaws that made them a threat again in the NFC.
The Eagles seemed a bit like a Barkley run through the first four games of the season — headed backward.
Now look at the Birds — they’ve taken a Saquontum Leap forward.
Jalen Hurts was a turnover machine, with four interceptions and five fumbles in the first four games. Over the last four, no turnovers, six passing touchdowns and six rushing scores. After scoring three touchdowns in the season opener, Barkley was limited to 28 total carries in consecutive games against Tampa Bay and Cleveland. He has since ripped off three straight 100-yard rushing games, including 159 yards against the Jaguars.
The Eagles even scored their first points in the first quarter this season.
Up next are games against Dallas and Washington that should go a long way toward deciding who wins the NFC East.
The offense. Hurts has found his groove, Barkley is perhaps the best running back in the NFL and the Eagles have sliced their turnovers since the tough first four games to make them a force in the division. The Eagles are third in the NFL in rushing offense and tied for second in rushing touchdowns.
Short yardage. The Eagles were hailed the last two seasons for their “tush push” play that led to nearly automatic first downs and touchdowns.
But their short-yardage gambles have missed in critical times this season, and the failures were on full display against Jacksonville.
The Eagles went 0 for 2 on fourth down, choosing to try to extend drives instead of going for field goals inside of 45 yards. They also failed three times on 2-point conversion attempts, including twice when Hurts was stopped on the tush push.
“You can’t overreact to a play that’s had as much success as that’s had the last three years,” Sirianni said Monday. “So we have a ton of confidence in it.”
That's how a 22-0 lead in the third quarter became a 28-23 win secured only by Nakobe Dean's game-saving interception in the end zone.
Barkley. He's the highest-paid running back in franchise history and — on a day when the franchise's career leading rusher in LeSean McCoy was inducted into the team's Hall of Fame — he could turn out to be the best one ever out of the backfield.
Barkley already has topped 1,000-plus scrimmage yards for the season, just the third Eagles player since the 1970 NFL merger to reach that milestone in the first eight games, joining McCoy (2011 and 2013) and Brian Westbrook (2007).
He also joined McCoy in 2011 (1,009 yards and 11 TDs) as the only Eagles players to have 1,000 or more scrimmage yards and eight-plus TDs through the first eight games of a season.
He's the third Eagles player to rush for 100-plus yards in three straight games, joining Westbrook (2006) and Wilbert Montgomery (1978, ’79 and ’81). He is the first Eagles player with five 100-plus yard games through eight games since McCoy in 2013 (seven).
Sirianni. He jaws with fans. His quizzical play-calling leaves points on the table. It took some cajoling from players to run the ball more. Is he too passionate? Too arrogant? Does he pander too much?
Sirianni absorbs his share of fair criticism — it's hard to imagine all his coaching misfires wouldn't have cost the Eagles against a team better than the Jaguars.
There's room for improvement on the sideline. Here's the issue for all the Sirianni haters, though: He wins. With three playoff appearances, a Super Bowl trip and now a four-game winning streak, Sirianni's hot seat has turned as cool as a park bench on a crisp fall day.
The Eagles lost 1,000-yard wide receiver A.J. Brown to a knee injury. Brown's injury did not appear to be serious, but he already missed three games this season with a hamstring injury.
Sirianni said Monday that Brown was in “good spirits” but had no further update on his receiver's condition.
28-43 — The Eagles have bolstered their record by playing some of the worst teams in the NFL. Their last three opponents — the Jaguars, Bengals and Giants — have a combined eight wins. The second-half schedule toughens up, with two games against Washington and matchups with Baltimore and the Rams on tap.
The Eagles can't afford a slipup as they head to Dallas on Sunday to play the 3-5 Cowboys. Get past that rival and a Thursday night showdown with Washington looms with first place in the NFC East potentially at stake.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) gets past Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Myles Cole (59) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) holds on to Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) scores a touchdown in front of Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) is stopped by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) hands off to Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs with the ball while Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) tackles him during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) hurdles over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jarrian Jones (22) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) leaps over Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
