Steve Kerr spoke about Steph Curry’s latest injury update, which will sideline the Warriors star for the rest of the regular season. Kerr is optimistic that Curry will return in his top form during the playoffs.
SAN FRANCISCO -- Steph Curry will miss the remainder of the regular season with a sprained ligament in his left foot, the Warriors announced Friday. This isn't some kind of cruel April Fool's joke. It's the reality for a Warriors season that has been defined by being without their superstars and trying to stay afloat before the playoffs start.
Steve Kerr of course wishes he could have Curry back on the court as soon as Saturday against the Utah Jazz. He also knew this was the likely outcome for Steph two weeks ago, and remains confident that Curry will return in top form once the postseason begins.
"We've kind of known that was gonna be the case," Kerr said Friday to reporters. "We were hoping maybe he could play one game, two games at the end of the regular season. But that was kind of a long shot. This is how it's turned out. His rehab's going fine. Steph has been injured many times, either before or during the playoffs in the past. He's always returned really, really well. I'm not too worried about him.
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SIGN UP HERE "All it takes is one made shot and he's back in rhythm. We'll see how it all goes over the next couple of weeks, but just following the advice of the training staff and we'll go from there."
Curry had scored only three points in just under 14 minutes when he was injured against the Boston Celtics back on March 16. Prior to that, he was averaging 27.0 points over seven games in March, including a 47-point performance the previous game against the Washington Wizards.
He was seen at practice Friday without a walking boot, and the Warriors in their re-evaluation statement said that Curry will "gradually begin on-court activities next week."
"He'll be on the court with the ball in his hands, ball-handling, shooting and more movement," Kerr said. "I imagine what that means is that he'll progress each day more and more, cutting and that sort of thing, but that's really up to Rick [Celebrini] and the staff."
Another big reason for Kerr's optimism is the fact that Curry's injury didn't occur before the season or in the middle of it. He already has played 64 games this season, which the Warriors believe will help with his conditioning.
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"I think he'll respond quickly," Kerr said.
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The Warriors have five regular-season games remaining and entered Friday as the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference. Their opponents aren't exactly seen as championship contenders, but whether it be seeding or the play-in tournament, all five teams have plenty left to play for.
It also doesn't help that the Warriors still have two back-to-backs to close out the regular season, and Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala -- at least -- will most likely sit one of the two games on a back-to-back.
The Warriors will provide their next update on Curry's rehab the day after the regular season ends, with the assumption he'll be good to go once the playoffs begin shortly after.
