Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans: Want Their Rookie Year Back for X-mas

After stellar 2009-10 rookie campaigns, Stephen Curry and Tyreke Evans are experiencing much tougher sophomore seasons.

On Wednesday, Stephen Curry sprained his right ankle for the fourth time this season.  Four sprains in two months may suggest that Curry has been returning from previous sprains too prematurely.  Curry is a tough player, but there is a good chance that the Golden State coaching staff will hold him out for an extended period of time to ensure that the ankle is fully healed, before allowing him to return to the court.

The Golden State point guard has been averaging 20.1 points, 5.6 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 1.7 steals per game, while shooting almost 49 percent. Considering he was a first round fantasy pick this year, any prolonged absence would be devastating to Curry fantasy owners.

According to the Contra Costa Times, the Warriors have signed Acie Law to presumably add some depth to the backcourt in Curry’s absence.  Although x-rays on the ankle were negative for a fracture, the short history of ankle injuries and the signing of Acie Law are strong indicators that Curry could be out for up to two weeks. Reggie Williams will likely be moved into the starting lineup as Monta Ellis will inherit the point guard duties.  Watch out for rookie Jeremy Lin, who should be the first guard off the bench and a potential short-term pickup.

Tyreke Evans has continued to play the season with plantar fasciitis, which is a painful inflammation in the tissues that support the arch of the foot. Although he has not missed any games because of the injury, his numbers have dropped in every statistical category from his stellar rookie year last season.

His 39.7 shooting percentage has proven detrimental to fantasy owners as he has been averaging over 16 shot attempts per game.  He is still a strong fantasy play, but considering he was the 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year, Evans’ production has not been in line with his fantasy expectations this season.

Plantar fasciitis is something that could linger throughout the year, so there is still a risk that the former Memphis Tiger misses several games this season, especially once the Kings are officially eliminated from the playoffs.  Based on the latest reports from the Sacramento Bee, Evans does not have a stress fracture in his foot, but the bad news is something in addition to the plantar fasciitis could exist.  We will know more once his MRI results are revealed.

Written by Win My Fantasy League Senior Writer Justin Hasan (J-Has)

Comment below or e-mail him at JHas@WinMyFantasyLeague.com