Curry to Sit a Third Game as Warriors Eye Porzingis’ Impact
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Golden State guard Stephen Curry will miss his third consecutive contest Saturday due to a sore right knee, telling ESPN’s Anthony Slater the joint is “trending in the right direction” but still painful enough to require caution. The 37-year-old said the training staff is focused on reducing inflammation to avoid a setback if he returns too soon.
Porzingis Trade Fuels Frontcourt Optimism
Curry also welcomed newly acquired center Kristaps Porzingis, who has appeared in just 17 games this season because of assorted injuries. “I’m just hoping he’s healthy, first and foremost, so he can do what he does on the floor,” Curry said, adding he has even started learning a bit of Latvian.
Veteran forward Al Horford, reunited with Porzingis after their shared stint in Boston, believes the 7-foot-3 big man brings exactly what the Warriors need. “He can shoot the three, post up, draw fouls, defend the rim,” Horford told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’m looking forward to him being here and helping us.”
Medical Staff Cleared the Deal
Head coach Steve Kerr said performance chief Rick Celebrini and his group thoroughly evaluated Porzingis before the trade was finalized. “I don’t think we would have made the deal if we didn’t think he could stay on the floor,” Kerr noted, citing Porzingis’ size, spacing and rim protection as long-sought attributes.
Playoff Ceiling Adjusted After Butler Injury
Kerr acknowledged that Jimmy Butler’s season-ending ACL tear lowers the team’s championship ceiling but insisted Golden State can still “make a playoff run.”
Green Relieved to Stay Put
Draymond Green endorsed Porzingis’ fit and admitted he was uneasy while rumors swirled about a potential trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. “It got nerve-wracking toward the end,” the former Defensive Player of the Year said after Thursday’s comeback win over Phoenix.
The Warriors host their next game Saturday without Curry, while Porzingis’ debut date remains tied to his ongoing medical evaluation.
Source: Hoops Rumors
