NBA playoffs: Curry cleared to rejoin Warriors
OAKLAND, CALIF.— Just as the Golden State Warriors had hoped, Stephen Curry is poised to return from a left knee injury to play in Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals Tuesday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Coach Steve Kerr listed the two-time MVP as probable Monday with the idea that he’s a go to play as long as no issues arise with Curry’s sprained left knee in the morning shootaround or before the game. Kerr didn’t say whether Curry would start or come off the bench but he won’t have a minutes restriction.
“He’ll want to get his legs underneath him,” Kerr said. “So we’ll try to find that balance between being cautious and letting him go a little bit.”
Golden State leads the bestof-seven series 1-0.
Curry participated in his first full-contact practice in more than a month last Thursday and then scrimmaged Friday 5-on-5. On Sunday, Curry scrimmaged with some of the reserves before the Warriors brass and medical staff determined he is ready for game action again.
Curry was injured March 23 in the same game where he had come back from a six-game absence with a right ankle injury.
“He needs rhythm,” Kerr said. “The only factor in terms of allowing him to play is health, and he’s ready to go. He’s been cleared.”
Curry also missed 11 games in December with a sprained right ankle. He played in only 51 of 82 regular-season games for the defending champions.
“It’s been interesting. Obviously when I’m out there I’ve been playing well, playing at a very high level, we’ve been winning,” Curry said. “You have some kind of unfortunate situations, landing on somebody’s foot, being in the wrong place at the wrong time, whatever the case is, missing games. The back of my mind I know I’m still durable.”