Reigning MVP Stephen Curry is not expected to suit up Saturday for the Golden State Warriors in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals on the road against the Portland Trail Blazers. Curry has yet to practice since spraining his right knee in the opening round of the post-season.
Curry has done work on the side during the Warriors' practices this week but is not yet cleared to participate in scrimmages. The coaching and medical staff want to see how his knee responds to increased activity before giving him the green light.
"It's tough to see him playing Saturday," coach Steve Kerr said. "He's gotten better and better each day."
Going a step further, Kerr said "probably not" when asked about Curry playing in Game 3. Game 4 will be on Monday and remains a possibility for Curry if his knee continues to respond well to treatment.
"Everything has gone very smoothly. He hasn't had any setbacks," Kerr said. "He's ramping up things in the weight room."
Golden State will hold another practice in Oakland on Friday before flying to Portland in the afternoon. Kerr said that Curry could get in some two-on-two work with coaches Luke Walton, Jarron Collins and Theo Robertson while the team participates in shootaround.
The Warriors have a 2-0 lead against Portland in this best-of-seven series. On Tuesday night, they beat the Trail Blazers 110-99 before enjoying an off day Wednesday.
Curry returned from an ankle injury before hurting his knee on April 24 when he slipped on the court shortly before halftime of a Game 4 victory against the Houston Rockets in the playoffs' first round. Kerr wants to see how Curry feels after a full practice before putting him back into the active lineup.
"That's what we did in Houston with the ankle. He wanted to play but he hadn't practiced," Kerr said. "We gave him two straight days of three-on-three, five-on-five, and he felt pretty good. So that's why he started out Game 4. We probably need to get through that process. We need to see him in rhythm, cutting, moving and see how he responds the next day as well."
Follow Brandon Katz at @Great_Katzby
