Kerr on Curry: ‘There’s no way he’s playing in the first round’

OAKLAND – The timeline indicates that Warriors guard Stephen Curry will remain sidelined for at least three weeks to close out the regular season. Common sense also suggests Curry will stay out even when the playoffs start.

“There’s no way he’s playing in the first round,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

The Warriors said they will reevaluate Curry in three weeks after an MRI taken on Saturday showed a Grade 2 MCL sprain in his left knee. That timelines coincides with when the NBA playoffs start on April 14, but Kerr anticipates the Warriors will need more time for two reasons. One, Curry will need time to practice and shed off rustiness after he missed the team’s the final 10 regular-season games and beyond. Two, the Warriors want to anticipate any setbacks.

Meanwhile, the Warriors (54-18) entering Sunday’s game against the Utah Jazz (41-32) at Oracle Arena with ailments to their other All-stars in Draymond Green (flu), Kevin Durant (ribs) and Klay Thompson (right thumb). Warriors guard Omri Casspi (sprained right ankle) and Chris Boucher (sprained left ankle) are also sidelined.

Yet, Kerr said the Warriors’ other All-stars will return “within the next week or 10 days.” Kerr projected Green and Durant will play either at home on Tuesday (Indiana) or Thursday (Milwaukee). Kerr added Thompson “is coming along well” and should return shortly after this week.

Against Utah though, the Warriors will start Quinn Cook, Nick Young, Patrick Mccaw, Kevon Looney and Javale Mcgee. Kerr plans to keep veterans Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston as reserves.

“These games are obviously not critical. We’re going to be the 2 seed,” said Kerr, whose Warriors have a 10-game lead over Portland (44-28). “I want Shaun and Andre’s minutes limited and in the same roles or similar roles they’re in during the playoffs. I’m not going to chase different lineups and involve them in the starting group. I’ll keep them in their same roles, if we can.”

In the short term, the Warriors have a roster that has no star talent. In the long term, Kerr still remained confident because of pending returns to Green, Durant and Thompson.

“We got enough. We’re blessed with a great roster and a lot of depth. Let’s get going,

CURRY / 10 Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry speaks at a news conference before a game between the Warriors and the Utah Jazz in Oakland on Sunday.