Curry ready to return to Warriors’ lineup
Golden State star Stephen Curry returned to the starting lineup on Saturday when the Warriors faced the Los Angeles Lakers.
The two-time MVP missed the last three games after he sprained his right ankle late in the fourth quarter during a March 7 game against the Chicago Bulls. Curry has dealt with the same ankle injury several times during his 15-year career, including missing three games earlier this season.
Curry, who turned 36 on Thursday, was cleared to resume on-court activity on Tuesday and practiced with the team on Friday in Los Angeles. An MRI on Curry’s ankle last week revealed no structural damage.
Coach Steve Kerr said in his pregame remarks that he expected Curry to play, but wanted to see how Curry went through pregame warmups before inserting him into the starting five. Curry is 10th in the league in scoring, averaging 26.9 points.
Draymond Green also returned to the lineup after missing Wednesday’s 10999 loss at Dallas due to back soreness.
The Warriors are sitting 10th in the Western Conference.
Jalen Green had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Houston beat Cleveland for its fifth straight victory.
Jabari Smith Jr. added 20 points, Amen Thompson had 18 and Fred VanVleet finished with 13 points and 16 assists for the Rockets, who made 15 3-pointers and outscored Cleveland 56-46 in the paint.
Green added four assists while hitting 4 of 9 from 3.
Houston led 70-54 at halftime and entered the fourth quarter with a 25-point lead.
The Rockets have won seven of their last eight, pulling within three games of the Golden State Warriors for the final Western Conference play-in spot.
Caris LeVert scored 21 points for Cleveland. Georges Niang had 14 and Donovan Mitchell added 13.
Mitchell was playing in his second game back from a seven-game absence with a left knee bruise. Mitchell appeared to sustain a bloody nose in the second half and sat much of the fourth quarter.
The Cavs were without Max Strus (right knee sprain) and Evan Mobley (left ankle sprain).