SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors gained’t have Steph Curry for the remaining 5 video games of the common season.
Curry, who sprained a ligament in his foot in a collision with Boston’s Marcus Good on March 16, will likely be re-assessed after the common season concludes on April 10, the staff stated Friday in a press release.
Curry may nonetheless be cleared to start out as early as Recreation 1 of the primary spherical of the playoffs, which start on April 16. The 34-year-old is “progressing” in his rehab and will begin particular person on-court exercises subsequent week.
“We’ve recognized that was going to be the case,” coach Steve Kerr stated. “We have been hoping perhaps he may play one, two video games on the finish of the common season however that was a protracted shot. That is the way it’s turned out. His rehab goes positive.”
Not but cleared for on-court work, Curry has been doing exercises within the weight room and within the pool with Warriors director of sports activities drugs and efficiency Rick Celebrini. Curry will quickly begin the following section of his rehab, returning to the courtroom for exercises.
“He’ll be on the courtroom with the ball in his arms, ball-handling, capturing and extra motion,” Kerr stated. “I think about what meaning is that he’ll progress every day increasingly, chopping and that kind of factor, however that’s actually as much as Rick and the employees.”
Curry has had his justifiable share of accidents coinciding with the playoffs, together with knee sprains that stored him out for elements of the 2016 playoffs and 2018 playoffs. However Curry has returned in rhythm every time.
“I’m not too nervous about him,” Kerr stated. “All it takes is one shot and he’s again in rhythm.”
The Warriors are 1-6 this yr within the seven video games Curry has missed together with his foot sprain. Although they are going to face only one staff with a document above .500, a pair of back-to-backs and the playoff seeding implications make these 5 video games essential.
Golden State will face the Utah Jazz on Saturday, a sport that would influence their seeding within the Western Convention. They at present sit within the No. 4 place, simply behind the surging Dallas Mavericks. Utah is tied with Denver for the No. 5 seed, simply two video games behind the Warriors. With the race so shut, Warriors gamers aren’t monitoring the seeding a lot — although they're conscious it’s a decent race.
Following Saturday’s sport, they journey Sunday to Sacramento to play the Kings, then return for his or her regular-season residence finale subsequent Thursday night time towards the Lakers, who're clinging to the West’s final play-in spot.
They end the season subsequent weekend with one other back-to-back on the highway towards the New Orleans Pelicans and San Antonio Spurs. These back-to-backs may show difficult with Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala most probably sitting one of many two video games on account of damage administration, Kerr stated.
A Wednesday loss to the Phoenix Suns confirmed indicators of defensive enchancment and cohesion that the Warriors hope may flip the script with out Curry.
“We're simply looking for out how we will get some wins,” Kevon Looney stated. “Everyone seems to be attempting to get their legs again beneath them, attempting to get a rhythm. We've the arrogance if we’re wholesome that we will play towards anybody. We aren’t nervous a few matchup. Nearly getting again to taking part in our model of ball.”
Jordan Poole’s emergence because the Warriors’ most constant scorer in Curry’s absence may buoy them. Poole has scored a minimum of 20 factors in 15 straight video games, together with a 38-point efficiency towards the Suns.
“Total, this complete yr, Jordan has grown as a pacesetter and an individual,” Looney stated. “He’s connecting with teammates higher, he’s getting folks snug. He’s turning into a real level guard, getting guys going.”