Steph open to resting however would not need blame on knee points initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bay Space
SAN FRANCISCO – As he continues to work his manner again to full well being, Stephen Curry isn’t averse to taking a time without work every so often so long as it’s for strategic causes.
What the two-time NBA MVP doesn’t wish to do is should take a break due to his bilateral knee points.
“It’s a factor however it’s not a priority,” Curry mentioned within the aftermath of Friday’s 107-90 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Chase Middle. “It modifications my upkeep from my day-to-day program that I do. However I really feel nice. I really feel like I can nonetheless get to the place I wish to on the ground and play 32 (minutes) and nonetheless really feel recent.”
Curry did simply that after not taking part in in Thursday’s recreation in opposition to the Houston Rockets. Curry scored a team-high 23 factors, 11 within the third quarter when the Dubs made among the best runs of the night time.
That he logged greater than 32 minutes of taking part in time is an effective indication that Curry’s knee, whereas clearly nonetheless bothersome, is just not as huge an element as possibly it as soon as was.
Nonetheless, it’s equally clear that Curry is just not again in peak kind. He shot 6 of 17 in opposition to the Wolves and made solely three of his 9 3-point makes an attempt, dedicated three turnovers and completed minus-3.
“He wasn’t in high kind tonight however I believed he was nice,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “In Denver (on Wednesday) he appeared good, bodily appeared good. That is all part of it, particularly as you become old. There’s going to be bumps and bruises, and a few nights you are feeling higher than others. And all that stuff. However Steph will likely be effective.”
Given the present state of the Warriors, everybody within the group would possibly wish to pluck a four-leaf clover in hopes that Curry stays pretty wholesome for the remainder of the sport.
Kerr initially got down to restrict Curry’s minutes considerably as a solution to facilitate that however has needed to alter that strategy and preserve his star on the court docket for so long as doable.
At 36 years outdated, nonetheless, Curry is totally conscious of the wear-and-tear that his physique absorbs each recreation however doesn’t need that to be an excuse when he will get a relaxation.
“I do know the back-to-back dialog, and possibly after we get deeper within the yr, there is perhaps sure nights that simply name so that you can take a recreation (off),” Curry mentioned. “I don’t need it to be one thing the place the knees are saying one thing. It’s extra simply the big-picture perspective. I believe we’re in that window.”
In opposition to the Timberwolves Curry spent many of the night time with Minnesota’s Jaden McDaniels draped throughout him attempting to smother any potential offense from the four-time NBA champ. McDaniels was a second-team NBA All-Defensive group within the 2023-24 season.
“Actually simply being his shadow figuring out there’s instances he’s going to hit threes or deep threes and make photographs however you may’t get pissed off with it,” McDaniels mentioned. “Simply chasing, chasing, chasing the entire recreation.”
If there was an encouraging signal for the Dubs currently, it’s been the evolution of Jonathan Kuminga who’s trying like he’s able to elevate his recreation to a different stage to turn into the Warriors’ No. 2 scoring choice.
Curry welcomes all the assistance he can get.
“He’s a giant weapon for us,, particularly the best way the early season’s gone, video games that we’ve handed away after huge leads, robust scoring nights like tonight,” Curry mentioned. “We’re a unique group than we’ve been the final three years. And the experimental section of attempting to unlock new seems, new go-to units, places the ball in his palms. It’s time for that, for positive.”
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