Let that deep breath out, Warriors fans. He's (likely) back.
Steph Curry is listed as probable for the Warriors' Game 1 matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday to begin the Western Conference playoffs, and Steve Kerr says the team expects Curry to suit up.
"Everything's gone really well, so we expect him to play," Kerr said to reporters. "We'll see how he's feeling tomorrow."
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Kerr said Thursday that if Curry is cleared to play after missing the past month to a sprained left foot and bone bruise, he would immediately be inserted back into the starting lineup. He also said his star point guard would be on a minutes restriction. That number hasn't been set in stone yet, though.
Curry on Thursday played three six-minute segments in the Warriors' scrimmage and was back on the practice floor the next day.
"Coming off the absence and the injury, the only thing I'll say is he's not playing 38 minutes," Kerr said. "I'm not going to give you a number because the number has a bunch of variables involved.
"We're planning on playing him if everything goes well and bring him along slowly from there."
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Following Thursday's scrimmage, Kerr said Curry wouldn't play 30, 35 minutes. In response, Curry said he'll always push for minutes in the playoffs but knows he has to be smart about it. Perhaps there will be the kind of wiggle room Steph is hoping for.
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Leading up to Game 1, Curry has checked every box so far. He was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, he scrimmaged Thursday and met with Kerr, coach Bruce Fraser and Warriors director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini right before Kerr went to the podium and declared Curry as probable for Saturday.
Curry has a long history of recovering from an injury and immediately playing like an MVP again. He said Thursday that he was "moving around the floor pretty seamlessly," and a refreshed Steph is a scary sight for the rest of the West.
Put it in pencil for now before pulling out a ballpoint pen. But let's be real: Steph Curry is back.
