This is a setback for the Warriors. The severity of the problem is determined by how the term “weeks” is eventually defined.

Stephen Curry reportedly damaged ligaments in his leg – in the shin area right below the knee — and while the team has not provided an official date, Shams Charania of The Athletic writes that he would be sidelined “weeks.”

“Weeks” is a broad term, and for the Warriors, the difference between Curry missing three weeks (one of which is the All-Star Break) and missing six to eight weeks might be the difference between a long playoff run and a short one.

According to Monty Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area, the Warriors are looking for Curry to return soon after the All-Star break.

According to Jeff Stotts of In Street Clothes, this is an unusual injury for the NBA, but he will be out for around a month.

In the short term, this means Curry will miss the All-Star Game, where fans chose him to start. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will promote a reserve to the starting lineup, most likely Ja Morant, who finished third in fan voting, and name an injured replacement for the team. Devin Booker (assuming he returns from injury this week as expected), De’Aaron Fox, or Anthony Edwards are the leading prospects.

In the long run, the Warriors cannot afford to be without Curry for a lengthy period of time.

Curry averages 27.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists a game, and the Warriors outscore opponents by 5 points per 100 possessions when he is on the field and by 5.4 when he is not. With the club one game above.500 and fighting to escape the play-in round, an extended absence for Curry spells peril for a Warriors squad that has struggled to find its footing this season.