Golden State Warriors to play Stephen Curry in play-in if healthy
Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr has confirmed that star guard Stephen Curry will play in the Western Conference play-in tournament if his injured right knee allows.
The 38-year-old has been sidelined since 30 January due to patellofemoral pain syndrome and bone bruising.
Speculation had suggested the franchise might rest their leading scorer rather than risk him without a guaranteed playoff berth.
However, Kerr firmly dismissed those notions ahead of his team’s Monday night fixture against the Dallas Mavericks.
Setback delays practice return
The four-time NBA champion was scheduled to resume practice on Sunday before medical staff intervened.
Team doctors opted to delay his on-court rehabilitation by a few days to conduct further physical testing.
“It’s all just part of the rehab and all the different testing he does,” Kerr explained.
An official decision on his next steps will be made when the squad returns home following the conclusion of their six-game road trip.
The fight for a post-season spot
The California-based franchise currently sit 10th in the highly competitive Western Conference standings.
Securing a traditional playoff spot is now mathematically impossible, meaning they must win two consecutive away games in the play-in tournament to advance.
Their form without the two-time MVP has been dismal, managing just 10 wins in 32 outings this season.
Recent performances have been particularly alarming, with the team suffering eight defeats in a recent nine-game stretch since his latest injury setback.
Prioritising long-term health
Despite the poor run of form, management remains adamant that their talisman will only take the floor if there is zero risk of long-term structural damage.
“Bottom line, if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for,” Kerr stated.
“The chance to get into the playoffs is a big deal for us, big deal for Steph.”
The prolific shooter, who leads the roster with an average of 27.2 points per game, is reportedly desperate to return to action.
“It’s been a long haul,” his coach added. “He’s dying to get out there for sure.”