Getty
Steph Curry has led the Golden State Warriors to four NBA championships.
The Golden State Warriors return from the All-Star break with significant injury questions.
Head coach Steve Kerr addressed the status of Stephen Curry and Kristaps Porzingis on Tuesday night. Both players have missed significant time recently. Both could be available when the Warriors face the Boston Celtics on Thursday night.
The updates provide Golden State with a clearer picture of what the roster will look like heading into the final stretch of the season.
Kerr Provides Curry and Porzingis Updates
GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors.
Kerr confirmed that Curry did not practice Tuesday night.
The Warriors gave their veterans an extra day off coming out of the All-Star break. Curry, Draymond Green, and Al Horford are all expected to return to practice Wednesday. Kerr expressed optimism that Curry will be ready to play Thursday against Boston, according to Nick Friedell of The Athletic.
Kerr says Warriors gave the vets an extra night off so Steph still isn’t back with the group yet. He is expected to be back tomorrow. Kerr remains hopeful Steph will be ready to play Thursday.
Curry has missed the Warriors’ last five games with runner’s knee. The injury kept him out through the All-Star break, including the All-Star Game itself. Getting him back on the court is critical for Golden State’s playoff positioning.
Meanwhile, Porzingis practiced with the team Tuesday night and looked good, according to Kerr. However, a final decision on his availability for Thursday’s game will come after Wednesday’s scrimmage. The Warriors want to see how Porzingis responds before clearing him to play.
Porzingis has been out since January 7 with Achilles tendinitis. He played just 17 games with the Atlanta Hawks before the trade deadline and has yet to make his Warriors debut. The Warriors acquired him in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield.
Additionally, Kerr confirmed that Gary Payton II and De’Anthony Melton were back at practice Tuesday. Kerr also said he has been texting with Jimmy Butler, who is in good spirits following surgery for his torn ACL.
Kerr said Steph, Draymond and Horford are all expected to be back tomorrow for practice. Melton and GP2 were back at practice tonight. Kerr said he’s been texting with Jimmy and he’s in good spirits post surgery.
Why the Warriors Need Both Players Healthy
GettyThe Golden State Warriors acquired Kristaps Porzingis from the Atlanta Hawks.
The Warriors are 29-26 and sit in eighth place in the Western Conference.
That record puts them three games behind the Phoenix Suns for seventh place. They trail the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves by 4.5 games for fifth place. Golden State is in the play-in tournament picture, but avoiding that scenario requires a strong finish to the regular season.
Curry is the key to everything. The Warriors are 6-10 when he does not play. With Butler now out for the season, Golden State cannot afford to lose Curry for extended stretches. He is the only player on the roster who can consistently create offense at an elite level.
However, Curry alone is not enough. The Warriors need Porzingis healthy and productive to be a dangerous playoff team. When he makes his debut, Porzingis would provide what Golden State has been missing. He averaged 17.1 points per game with the Hawks before the trade. His per-36-minute scoring average of 25.4 points ranked among the league’s best.
More importantly, Porzingis would provide the two-way impact the Warriors have lacked all season. He would give Golden State a legitimate scoring option in the frontcourt. He also protects the rim on defense, something the Warriors desperately need. His presence would change how opposing teams approach Golden State’s defense.
The question is whether Porzingis can stay healthy enough to make his debut. Achilles tendinitis is not an injury that disappears overnight. The Warriors are being cautious with his return, which is the smart approach. Rushing him back could lead to a setback that costs them later in the season.
Final Word for the Warriors
Steve Kerr is hopeful Stephen Curry will play Thursday against the Celtics.
Curry will practice Wednesday, and the expectation is that he will be cleared for game action. Getting him back on the court stabilizes the Warriors heading into the final stretch of the season.
Porzingis remains a game-time decision. The Warriors want to see how he responds to Wednesday’s scrimmage before making a final call. If he plays, it would mark his Warriors debut and give Golden State both of their key pieces available for the first time.
The Warriors need both players healthy to make a legitimate playoff run. Curry keeps them competitive on a nightly basis. Porzingis would give them the two-way frontcourt presence they have been searching for all season.
Thursday’s game against Boston will reveal whether the Warriors are ready to make their move in the standings. If both Curry and Porzingis are available, Golden State has a chance to build momentum heading into March.
Keith Watkins Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. More about Keith Watkins
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