Dallas– Stephen Curry He will be available for the play-in tournament if his right knee is sore, as Golden State coach Steve Kerr dismissed the notion that the Warriors would sit their superstar without a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
Kerr said before Golden State’s game in Dallas on Monday night that Curry’s planned participation in practice the day before was postponed by the medical staff. The six-game road trip ends against the Mavericks, and the Warriors will decide what’s next for Curry once they get home.
“It’s all part of the rehab and all the different tests he’s going through,” Kerr said. “Just pushed back a day or two.”
The Warriors are in 10th place in the Western Conference, and if they finish the season in that last place in the play-in tournament, they will have to win two road games to make the playoffs.
Curry has not played since January 30 as he deals with patellofemoral pain syndrome and a knee injury. Golden State entered Monday 23-16 with Curry and 10-22 without him, including a 1-8 stretch that dropped the Warriors to 6-15 since his latest injury.
“We’re not chasing a play-in berth. We’re definitely in the play-in no matter what we do,” Kerr said. “The main thing is if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for. A chance to get to the playoffs is a big deal for us, big deal for Steph.”
Additionally, Kerr said that if there is any risk of long-term damage to the knee, Curry will not play. The 38-year-old leads the Warriors in scoring with 27.2 points per game.
Kerr dodged a question about whether Curry was disappointed that his return to practice was delayed at least two more days.
Golden State initially hoped he would return right after the All-Star break, and Curry sat out the All-Star Game this year.
“It’s been a long journey,” Kerr said. “He’s definitely dying to get out of there.”
