The Warriors scratched Steph Curry just before Saturday’s loss to Charlotte Hornets, but Golden State coach Steve Kerr said in a video conference with reporters after the game that he was “hopeful” that Curry would play on Tuesday against New York. Knicks.
Curry’s illness did not require him to be included in the NBA’s coronavirus health and safety protocols, Kerr said, but it was enough to keep him out of the Warriors’ only trip to Curry’s hometown this season.
“Even though he did his normal warm-up routine, he just didn’t do well,” explained Kerr. “He returned [into he locker room], saw the team doctor Charlotte, went out, tried to warm up and just wasn’t feeling well. And then we made the decision – the training team, and Steph and I, we all made the decision not to play with him. “
After playing just five games last season due to a broken left hand, Curry was an iron man for the Warriors this season. He played in each of Golden State’s 30 games before Saturday, averaging the third highest NBA points per game (29.9), while ranking just 27 in minutes per night (34.1).
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Curry is the Warriors’ center of gravity in attack, and Golden State struggled to look good in his absence on Saturday. The Warriors hit just 13 of 39 points out of 3 (33.3 percent), well below their usual 38.3 percent clip with him on the ground this season.
Golden State still had a great chance of winning in Curry’s absence, before Draymond Green was sent off and Terry Rozier from Charlotte hit both technical free throws to tie the game. Rozier won the game in possession of the ball that followed, with a thunderous midfield shot.
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