SAN FRANCISCO — The Warriors won’t be at full strength for their first game outside the All-Star break.
During his press conference after Wednesday’s practice, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Steph Curry did not participate in practice and will not play against the Celtics on Thursday.
Curry missed the final five games before the All-Star break with runner’s knee, an injury that can only heal with rest. Although he attended events during All-Star weekend, Curry did not participate in any of the events, except for the viral trick shot.
When Curry returned to the Bay Area, his knee was still bothering him.
“He came back today and he wasn’t feeling good. These guys know when they feel good,” Kerr said. “He is now being evaluated by our team doctors, and we will have an update later.”
Kerr said Curry may undergo an MRI, and emphasized that the team will not rush its playmaker to return to action as the team begins to push for the season.
Golden State (29-26) has only 27 games left in the season and is currently the 8th seed. While Kerr has called getting a Top 6 seed — and avoiding the dreaded Play-In tournament — a goal, he won’t risk his star’s life in pursuit of it.
“It’s a little tricky, but we’re going to keep plugging away at it, and Steph is going to take the right steps,” Kerr said.
Meanwhile, Kristaps Porzingis hasn’t played since early January, back when he was with the Hawks. The center has dealt with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) and various injuries over the past few years, playing at least 60 games in one of the past seven seasons.
Kerr said Porzingis participated fully in Wednesday’s practice and will be listed as “questionable” for Thursday’s game. He said if Porzingis plays, the center will be limited to about 15 minutes at most.
“When you’re out a little bit, it’s almost hard to get a rhythm,” Porzingis said. “But not to put crazy expectations on myself, I want to go one day at a time and build from the low minutes I’m going to have, and build slowly and I’ll be fine.”
Porzingis said that although he prefers to play more strategies, he understands why the Warriors manage it the way they do, and he is excited to take the floor with Golden State.
“When this whole team is back, there’s unbelievable talent on this team,” Porzingis said. “I really like the style, and we as players, we have to take advantage of the attack and the things we are allowed to do.”
Porzingis was acquired in a trade with Atlanta earlier this month in exchange for Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. He won the 2024 NBA title with Boston, where he played alongside now Warriors teammate Al Horford.
“I thought his timing was good, and just all of his energy, and everything,” Horford said. “I’m definitely looking forward to seeing him on the floor.”
Kerr said the rest of the Warriors’ players — except for Seth Curry, who is sidelined with sciatica — will be available Thursday.
