DALLAS (AP) — Stephen Curry will be available for the playoffs if his injured right knee allows, and Golden State coach Steve Kerr dismissed suggestions that the Warriors will leave their superstar without a guaranteed berth in the playoffs.
Kerr said before Golden State’s game against Dallas on Monday night that Curry was scheduled to participate in a practice a day earlier but was postponed due to medical staff. The Warriors will decide Curry’s next step upon returning home after a six-game road trip with the Mavericks.
advertise
“It’s just part of rehab and all the different tests he does,” Kerr said. “It was just delayed for a day or two.”
The Warriors are in 10th place in the Western Conference and will have to win two road games to make the playoffs if they end the season in the final playoff spot.
Curry has not played since Jan. 30 because he suffers from patellofemoral pain syndrome and a kneecap contusion. The Golden State Warriors improved to 23-17 with Curry on Monday and 10-22 without Curry, including a 1-8 mark that has dropped them to 6-15 since Curry’s recent injury.
“We’re not chasing a play-in spot. No matter what we do, we’re going to go right into the play-in spot,” Kerr said. “The bottom line is, if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for. The chance to make the playoffs is important for us and it’s important for Steph.”
advertise
Kerr, meanwhile, said Curry would not play if there was any risk of long-term damage to his knee. The 38-year-old leads the Warriors with 27.2 points per game.
Kerr dodged a question about whether Curry was disappointed that his return to practice would be delayed for at least another two days.
The Golden State Warriors initially hoped he would return immediately after the All-Star break, but Curry sat out this year’s All-Star break.
“It’s been a long process,” the coach said. “He must be desperate to get out.”
___
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA