Warriors stay afloat without Curry, beat Rockets in OT; updates on Porzingis, Kawhi inquiry, Moody
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The Golden State Warriors improved to 9-14 this season without Stephen Curry, edging the Rockets 123-120 in overtime on Thursday in Houston. Before tipoff, the injured guard texted Draymond Green a simple message: “Keep going… I’m coming back,” according to Green.
Golden State is 23-16 when Curry plays and has now won two of 12 games during his current absence with a right knee injury. There is still no timetable for the two-time MVP’s return, but Green said he is confident Curry “will come back” as soon as his body allows.
Podziemski shines, Cryer contributes
Head coach Steve Kerr called Thursday “the best game of the season” for rookie Brandin Podziemski, who supplied a team-high 26 points and five offensive rebounds in 40 minutes. Two-way guard LJ Cryer, limited to eight total minutes all year and recently sidelined by a hamstring strain, added 12 points in 20 minutes off the bench.
Porzingis progressing but still day-to-day
Kristaps Porzingis, out the past six games with an illness, has increased his on-court work and accompanied the Warriors on their three-game trip. “He’s gonna get a workout today, and we’ll take it day by day,” Kerr said. The big man has appeared only once since arriving from Atlanta last month due to what ESPN described as a year-long, mysterious illness.
Warriors checked on Kawhi before deadline
League sources told ESPN the Warriors inquired about Kawhi Leonard before last month’s trade deadline. Leonard remained with the Clippers, who moved James Harden and Ivica Zubac instead.
Moody’s wrist sprain minor
Moses Moody missed Thursday’s game with a right wrist sprain, but Kerr labeled the fifth-year wing “day-to-day.”
Kerr defends player-development record
In an interview on 95.7 The Game, Kerr addressed criticism of the franchise’s recent player development. He said the organization revamped its approach four to five years ago, adding new staff and structure, but emphasized the difficulty of giving extended minutes to 19-year-olds on a title-contending roster.
Source: Hoops Rumors
