As the Warriors await Stephen Curry's return to the court, they'll have one more reason to celebrate him this week.
The superstar guard is expected to be named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive season, ESPN reported Monday. No one expected anything else, of course, given Curry's dominance this season on the heels of his first MVP campaign.
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The last two seasons have cemented Curry's place atop the game, and winning back-to-back MVPs only drives the point home. The last player to do that was the man Curry has surpassed as the NBA's transcendent star, LeBron James in 2012 and 2013. The only other point guards to repeat as MVPs were Steve Nash (2005-06) and Magic Johnson (1989-90).
Curry, 28, averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds in 79 games during the regular season. His 402 made 3-pointers obliterated the league record of 286, which he set last season.
As impressive as those numbers are, Curry undoubtedly will say upon receiving the award that repeating as NBA champion is more important, and the Warriors have been chugging along in his absence.
With Curry sidelined since spraining the MCL in his right knee on April 24, Golden State leads its playoff series against the Trail Blazers 2-1 entering Game 4 Monday night in Portland. Curry is doubtful to play Monday but has been going through light practices with the team.
