Curry expected to return vs. Knicks tonight
Warriors guard Stephen Curry returned to practice Monday and is on track to play tonight against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
Curry, 32, missed Saturday night’s loss in Charlotte, his hometown, because he was not feeling well. A late scratch moments before tipoff, Curry was OK to practice Monday after the Warriors had the day off Sunday.
The Warriors have said Curry’s illness is not related to the coronavirus.
“He’s feeling better,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Curry. “He participated in practice fully. We anticipate he’ll be available (tonight).”
That absence was the first of Curry’s season, during which he’s playing at an MVP level. In 34.1 minutes per game, he is averaging 29.9 points on 48.6% shooting (42.3% from 3-point range), 6.2 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals.
CENTERS GETTING HEALTHY >> Warriors centers James Wiseman and Kevon Looney could return as soon as tonight’s game.
Wiseman (left wrist sprain) has been sidelined since Jan. 30, and Looney (left ankle sprain) hasn’t played since Feb. 2. Both practiced fully with the Warriors on Monday and will be re-evaluated before today’s tipoff against the Knicks.
If both are active, Looney is expected to get the start at center, according to Kerr.
This could be a major boost for Golden State, which has been without a traditional center for the past 10 games and has been forced to play lineups without a single player taller than 6-foot-7. The Warriors are 5-5 during that stretch.
Their return will bring about rotation questions, as Kerr will have to find time for both to play in the frontcourt along with forwards Draymond Green, Eric Paschall and Juan Toscano-Anderson, who has thrived as a starter this month. Kerr acknowledged last week he will have to have some “difficult conversations” with players who will see their roles reduced.
• As for Paschall, the second-year forward has spent most of this season playing exclusively as a small-ball center off the bench. But Golden State could be forced to play him more at his traditional power forward spot in order to make room for Toscano-Anderson, who has emerged as a capable rotation piece.
“I think there are going to be times where we’ll want him to be a smallball five but, in order for us to really help Eric develop and for his career to blossom, he needs to play some four, and he needs to be able to flourish in that role as well,” Kerr said. “So I think you’ll see some of that going forward. You’ll still see some five, depending on matchups and lineup combinations, that sort of thing.”
• Count Kerr among those impressed with Toscano-Anderson in recent weeks. He’s publicly lobbied for the 27-year-old forward, currently on a twoway contract, to be a part of the team going forward. It’s a good bet that he’ll find a place for ToscanoAnderson in the rotation.