Basketball: Golden State's Stephen Curry suffers knee sprain, faces two-week layoff

Stephen Curry warms up before game 4 of the first round playoffs in Houston, Texas on Sunday (April 24). PHOTO: AFP

OAKLAND, California (AFP) - Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry faces at least two weeks on the sidelines after suffering a sprained right knee, the NBA champions confirmed Monday.

Curry limped off the court during Sunday's victory against the Houston Rockets, plunging Golden State's hopes of defending their NBA crown this season into uncertainty.

The reigning league MVP underwent an MRI exam on Monday to determine the exact nature of the injury.

The Warriors later confirmed Curry had suffered a grade one medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee.

"He will be re-evaluated in two weeks," the Warriors statement said.

The news means Curry will miss Wednesday's Game Five against the Rockets, where the Warriors, who lead the Western Conference series 3-1, will attempt to clinch victory.

Curry meanwhile rallied against the gloom with a message to wellwishers on Twitter.

"Thanks 4 all the prayers & messages. Can feel all the positive energy. God is Great! All things considered I'm Gonna be alright! #DubNation," Curry wrote.

Curry sustained the injury after slipping on a wet spot as he guarded Trevor Ariza on Sunday, banging his knee on the court.

He attempted to test the knee just after half-time by moving laterally but signalled discomfort and returned to the dressing room.

Any prolonged absence of Curry would be a crippling blow to the Warriors.

The 28-year-old has been at the forefront of the team's transformation into the NBA's dominant side, shattering the record for three-pointers with 402 this season.

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