Steph Curry and Steve Kerr
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Steph Curry and Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors have won four NBA championships together.
The Golden State Warriors have been playing without Steph Curry since the start of February due to a runner’s knee. The Warriors have gone 2-4 in that span, heading into Sunday’s game against the Denver Nuggets.
Ahead of the Warriors’ first game since the NBA All-Star break, the team announced last Thursday that Curry will be re-evaluated in 10 days. The two-time MVP’s MRI on his right knee did not show structural damage, but he was still feeling pain and discomfort.
Amid news of Curry’s diagnosis, former player and current ESPN analyst Kendrick Perkins suggested shutting down the four-time NBA champion.
“Shut Steph down,” Perkins said on the Road Trippin’ podcast. “Let those guys play it out. See what guys fit. Right now, I would let the rest of the Warriors team outside of Steph play this season out and audition. See if they want to be here.”
Perkins added that giving Curry a much-needed rest would help general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. make roster decisions this offseason. He’s also still hopeful that Dunleavy would “do his damn job” and build a contender around Curry.
Steve Kerr on Idea of Shutting Down Curry
In addition to Kendrick Perkins, plenty of Warriors fans like the idea of shutting down Steph Curry and tanking for a higher pick for this year’s draft.
During an appearance on 95.7 The Game’s Willard & Dibs, coach Steve Kerr was baffled by the idea of resting Curry for the rest of the season and tanking for a shot at a top draft pick.
“We’re not going to do anything silly, obviously,” Kerr said, via Tristi Rodriguez of NBC Sports Bay Area. “We are protecting him. But as soon as he’s healthy, he’s going to play. That’s what this is about. We have lots to play for. We’re right in the mix in the playoffs. This is an injury that’s been nagging. It’s not like this is something that’s going to hurt him next year if we put him out there now.”
The Warriors enter Sunday’s game against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets with a record of 29-27. They are sitting eighth in the West standings, which puts them in the NBA Play-In Tournament spots. They have a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Clippers and are 2.5 games ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Curry Shares Positive Update on His Recovery
Speaking to Dalton Johnson of NBC Sports Bay Area, Steph Curry was feeling positive amid his recovery from his knee injury. Curry was also on the same boat as Steve Kerr regarding the possibility of resting for the rest of the season.
“Feeling good,” Curry said. “I mean, it’s not going the way that I wanted it to, but I think we’re in the right direction of getting back out there as fast as possible. … The goal is to be healthy come playoff time and be available when it matters most.”
A runner’s knee, or patellofemoral pain, is a complicated injury, with the most important part of recovery being able to reduce the pain and swelling, as per UCSF Orthopedic Surgery professor Dr. Nirav Pandya.