Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors underwent another MRI on his right knee, which has been causing him discomfort and sidelining him for several weeks. A team source revealed that the MRI results showed “clean” scans, indicating no structural damage, but Curry is still managing pain associated with what the Warriors are calling “runner’s knee.” He will sit out Thursday’s game against the Boston Celtics, marking his sixth consecutive game on the sidelines and the 17th game missed in the current season.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr mentioned that Curry worked with a trainer during the All-Star break in hopes of rectifying the ongoing knee issues. However, after returning to practice, Curry felt the knee wasn’t strong enough for him to participate fully. Kerr emphasized the day-to-day nature of Curry’s condition but also noted a degree of surprise regarding the length of his absence, as there was hope he would return post-All-Star break.
Amidst Curry’s recovery, the Warriors received some positive news with the potential return of Kristaps Porziņģis, who was acquired just before the trade deadline from the Atlanta Hawks. Porziņģis participated fully in Wednesday’s practice, and Kerr expressed optimism about him making his Warriors debut on Thursday.
“I’m feeling excellent,” Porziņģis said, reflecting on his readiness. He expressed admiration for teammate Draymond Green’s experience and vocal leadership on the court, mentioning how vital Green is to the team’s dynamic.
Kerr acknowledged the significance of having a healthy Curry as the team approaches the latter part of the season. The Warriors will rely on both Porziņģis’ contributions and their current roster capabilities while they await Curry’s return. The organization is holding out hope that Curry will bounce back and rejoin the lineup soon.
Looking ahead, the matchup against the Celtics carries additional emotional weight for both Porziņģis and veteran Al Horford, who are reuniting with former teammates from Boston. Horford expressed excitement about seeing familiar faces and competing on the court, while Porziņģis remarked on the peculiar nature of debuting against his former team.
As the Warriors navigate through injuries and welcome new talents, both the coaching staff and players remain committed to strengthening their position as they gear up for the playoff push in the remaining stretch of the season.