Before the Warriors’ game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Coach Kerr spoke at Chase Center, mentioning that Curry had “been banged up over the past week” but is expected to play on Saturday against the Phoenix Suns. The decision to rest Curry, who was listed as questionable on Tuesday, was made Wednesday morning following the recommendation of Rick Celebrini, the Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance. Kerr agreed with the suggestion, hoping the rest would give Curry the time needed to recover before the team’s upcoming road trip.
The Warriors had a busy schedule, playing four games in six days, including a loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Monday where Curry played 29 minutes, scoring 28 points, making eight 3-pointers, and recording seven assists. At 36 years old and in his 16th season, Curry averages 29.7 minutes per game, with 22.4 points (44.4% shooting from three), 5.4 rebounds, and 6.4 assists. Kerr mentioned that Curry had an MRI on Tuesday, which showed no structural damage. “At 36, you’re just going to have more aches and pains,” Kerr said, adding that Curry needs time to recover from tendonitis in his knees, hoping the next few days will help with that.
Curry had previously missed three games due to a sprained left ankle sustained on October 27 against the Los Angeles Clippers. The Warriors are 3-0 without him this season, defeating the New Orleans Pelicans twice and the Houston Rockets in overtime. In Curry’s absence, reserve guard Brandin Podziemski has started, averaging 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, and six assists while shooting 40.9% from the field and 27.7% from beyond the arc. This season, Podziemski has averaged 7.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists while shooting 36.8%. Speaking before a game against the Clippers on November 18, when Curry was also listed as questionable, Podziemski expressed confidence in the team’s ability to win without Curry, stating, “We’re good enough. We’re deep enough.”
Oklahoma City was missing big man Chet Holmgren (pelvic fracture) and guard Alex Caruso (right hip strain) for the game.
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