Curry probable to play against Nuggets
Curry expected to return after missing 12 games
SAN FRANCISCO >> The Warriors expect Stephen Curry to be back on the court tonight when they host the Denver Nuggets in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at Chase Center.
Curry has not played since March 16, missing the final 12 games of the regular season while recovering from a sprained ligament and bone bruise in his left foot.
“Things have gone really well, so we're expecting him to play,” coach Steve Kerr said Friday. “We'll see how he's feeling tomorrow, but coming off the absence and the injury. The only thing I'll say is he's not playing 38 minutes.”
Curry played 18 minutes — divided into three six-minute segments — in the Warriors' scrimmage Thursday. That was a major hurdle in his effort to return for the start of the postseason against a Nuggets team that won three of four meetings with Golden State this year.
“I'm not going to give you a number because the number is in the system. There are some variables in there,” Kerr said. “We're planning on playing him if everything goes well and we'll bring him along slowly from there.”
Kerr said he'll wait to see how Curry's body reacts to playing and will consult with the Warriors' training staff before determining the path forward for the rest of the series, which continues with Game 2 in San Francisco on Monday.
“Everything's gone really smoothly, so we expect him to play tomorrow and I'll talk to the training staff each day based on how he responds,” Kerr said, “and then we will act accordingly.”
Kerr said he has determined what his starting lineup will be, but wasn't willing to reveal who the first five players on the floor will be for the begin of the series.
Curry said Thursday that he'd like to play as
many minutes as possible. In 112 career playoff games, Curry has averaged close to 38 minutes and 26.5 points per game.
“That's why he is who he is. He's a living legend,” Warriors guard Andrew Wiggins said of Curry's desire to remain on the floor. “He's one of the best-conditioned athletes in the world and works so hard. There's no doubt in my mind or anyone's mind that he's going to be ready and dominant.”
“When a player with that much history and that much of a track record, you kind of know what you can expect,” Kerr said. “It doesn't always play out perfectly, but knowing Steph, knowing his history, knowing his attention to detail, the work he puts in, I have every reason to believe that this comeback will be successful.”
In three games against the Nuggets this season,
Curry averaged 38.7 minutes and 27.3 points. He was a combined 11 for 33 from the 3-point line.
“There's no real concern I'll be a step slower, I'll be out there exhausted in the first two or three minutes whenever you do get back because I have been through it, I know the work that goes into it,” Curry said Thursday. “I can push myself once I get that green light to get back on the floor.”
TALL TASK (LIKE 6-FOOT-11 TALL) >> It's no secret that the biggest advantage the Nuggets have in this series is the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Stopping him will be key for the undersized Warriors, who have just one active player, Nemanja Bjelica, who's taller than 6-9.
Draymond Green and Kevon Looney will be most responsible for limiting Jokic's damage.
The main keys to conquering the Serbian beast?
Be prepared, be physical, stay positive.
“Going against a guy like that, he's going to have his moments where he goes on the run where he's making a lot of shots and making tough shots or making crazy passes, but you gotta stick to the game plan and stick to your guns,” Looney said.
Easier said than done. CLOSING TIME >> How Kerr will decide to close out games remains up in the air.
Green, Curry, Klay Thompson and Wiggins seem like locks, but the final spot is up for grabs. Will it be the blossoming Jordan Poole? Or what about the reliable Otto Porter Jr., iron man Looney or former Finals MVP Andre Iguodala?
It's hard to say. Kerr welcomes the friendly competition.
And while he has an idea of what the final unit will look like, Kerr said he reserves the right to change it on a moment's notice. It is the playoffs after all.
“Whoever's playing the best, whatever group is playing the best will finish the game, and then the next game starts and it could be different the following game,” Kerr said. “It's up to everybody to not only accept that but to embrace it in the spirit of just winning the damn game.”