SAN FRANCISCO — Steve Kerr and the Golden State Warriors are feeling a sense of ‘relief’ that Stephen Curry’s quad injury isn’t worse.
“It’s a big relief,” Kerr said after Friday’s practice. “You always worry when Steph goes down that it’s something that’s going to keep him out for a while. So, the fact that we’re taking it by the week and doesn’t appear to be anything too serious is a great sign. It gives us relief for sure.”
Curry injured his right quad late in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s loss to the Houston Rockets and an MRI late Wednesday confirmed a quad contusion and muscle strain.
The Warriors announced Thursday that Curry would be re-evaluated in a week. Curry was back at practice on Friday to watch film with his teammates as he starts a rehab process that could have been worse if the MRI revealed something more severe.
“He’s feeling fine,” Kerr said. “He didn’t obviously do anything in practice today, but he’s here getting treatment and watched film with the guys. Doing OK.”
In the short term, without Curry, even more responsibility will be placed on third-year guard Brandin Podziemski. (David Gonzales / Imagn Images)
No matter how long Curry remains out, Kerr wants his team to focus on taking better care of the ball. Kerr has repeated the same mantra in recent weeks, given how closely it ties into the Warriors winning and losing games.
“We just have to keep taking care of the ball, or start taking care of the ball,” Kerr said. “It’s the same formula. Obviously we’re missing one of the great players of all time so maybe there’s a few more play calls. We’ve got to be extra sharp in our execution with our cutting and our passing, but it’s pretty obvious, 9-1 when we take care of the ball better than our opponents, 1-9 when we don’t. I’m going to keep hammering that point home to you guys, to our team, because it’s the No. 1 determining factor whether we win or lose.”
In the short term, without Curry, even more responsibility will be placed on third-year guard Brandin Podziemski. Podziemski comes into Saturday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans averaging 12.2 points and 4.6 rebounds a game.
“We’re relying heavily on Brandin,” Kerr said. “He’s one of our most important players, and, obviously, Steph leaves a huge void. All of our guards have to be ready to fill in the gap.”
Speaking of those guards, Kerr said that veteran guard De’Anthony Melton is getting closer to a return as he continues his rehab from a left ACL tear suffered last season. Kerr said Melton went through all of Friday’s practice and there’s a ‘chance’ he plays on the upcoming three-game road trip.
“He’s getting a lot closer,” Kerr said of Melton. “I think the scrimmage the other day against the Santa Cruz team really helped and a full participant in practice. He won’t play on the remainder of this homestand, but he’ll go on the trip, and there’s a chance he’ll play on the trip.”
As for Jonathan Kuminga, Kerr is hopeful he’ll be able to make his return to the floor Saturday against the Pelicans. Kuminga has missed the last seven games because of bilateral knee tendonitis.
“He’ll be listed questionable,” Kerr said of Kuminga. “So, the training staff and JK will make that determination, but he’s a couple straight days, maybe three straight days, so trending upward.”
