OAKLAND -- Step 1 of Stephen Curry’s return is that he wakes up Saturday morning feeling as great as he did Friday afternoon.
Step 2 is that he then drives into the Warriors facility, feels fine during shootaround, and meets with physical performance specialist Chelsea Lane, accompanied by the ears of the coaching staff.
Step 3 is that he hears three words he has not heard in five weeks: Available to play.
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Though still listed as “questionable” for Game 1 of the Warriors-Pelicans playoff series Saturday night, Curry is running out of reasons to wait. He has endured back-to-back full-contact practices and downgraded from a full knee brace to a protective sleeve. He is at that stage when every light has turned green and he’s simply awaiting official permission to put his foot to the accelerator.
“Just trying to work my way up, do what I need to do, do whatever Chelsea and the rest of the athletic training staff and coach need to see to get me back out there,” he said Friday after practice. “That’s the only thing I can really focus on right now. It is good to be back, actually playing basketball, and doing basketball things.”
Based on circumstantial evidence, Curry is more likely to play than not in Game 1 but most assuredly will be ready for Game 2, possibly on a minutes restriction, whether it’s Monday or Tuesday.
“It would help if it was Tuesday,” he said.
Golden State Warriors
Curry last played on March 23 against the Hawks. He left the game in the third quarter sustaining sprained left medial collateral ligament (MCL) when fell upon by center JaVale McGee.
With Curry out, the Warriors went 4-6 over the final 10 games of the regular season.
Upon Curry’s return, veteran Andre Iguodala, who started at point guard in the first-round series win over San Antonio, would return to his customary role of Sixth Man, typically playing 22 to 28 minutes.