Warriors Won’t Shut Down Stephen Curry; Guard Out At Least One More Week
warriors-keep-curry-on-sideline-but-no-season-shutdown
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr said Friday that Stephen Curry will not be shelved for the rest of the season, despite the patellofemoral pain syndrome plaguing the star guard’s right knee. Speaking on 95.7 The Game’s “Willard and Dibs,” Kerr confirmed Curry will miss at least another week but emphasized the plan remains for him to return once cleared.
“We’re protecting him, but as soon as he’s healthy, he’s going to play,” Kerr stated, noting the Warriors are “right in the mix” for a postseason berth. The coach called the issue a nagging injury and stressed it is being managed to avoid long-term problems.
Curry echoed that outlook in an interview with NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson, acknowledging frustration yet aiming to be ready when the playoffs begin. “I’m headed in the right direction and hopefully it won’t be too much longer,” he said.
Green Struggles Without Curry
Draymond Green went scoreless in Thursday’s blowout loss to Boston, missing all seven shots and finishing minus-28 in 18 minutes. Kerr said the coaching staff must adjust schemes to better support Green while Curry is sidelined. “When Steph goes out, it really changes everything in terms of how defenses guard us, and it impacts Draymond probably more than anybody,” Kerr told reporters after Friday’s practice.
Porzingis Eases Into Warriors Debut
Recently acquired center Kristaps Porzingis logged 17 minutes in his first game with Golden State on Thursday. Though feeling rusty, the Latvian big man called the outing encouraging and hopes to increase his workload quickly. Kerr plans to grant that wish, saying Porzingis will receive “a few more minutes” Sunday against Denver.
The Warriors enter the weekend still chasing playoff positioning, with Curry’s return timetable and Porzingis’ integration key storylines in the season’s final stretch.
Source: Hoops Rumors
