SAN FRANCISCO — Warriors of the Golden State star Steph Curry is expected to return from a sprained ankle Saturday night against the Lakers, coach Steve Kerr said Friday. Curry sprained his ankle on a rough landing during the team’s loss to the Chicago Bulls last Thursday and hasn’t played in any of the Warriors’ three games since.
Curry practiced with the team in Los Angeles on Friday ahead of Saturday night’s Warriors showdown.
Curry appeared to roll his right ankle while driving to the basket late in the fourth quarter last week. He then limped onto the field in an attempt to escape, but ultimately left the game and went straight to the locker room with just under four minutes remaining.
Curry’s absence was felt throughout the streak against Chicago, as a rookie Brandin Podziemski failed to convert a point-blank layup attempt that would have tied the game with seven seconds remaining. The last winning attempt from half court was missed by Lester Quinoneswho was inserted in place of Curry.
The Warriors were one of the hottest teams in basketball before Curry’s injury, going 14-4 in 18 games between January 30 and March 1. During this period, they achieved the fourth best net rating in the rankings. NBA and the fifth-best defense, with Curry averaging 26 points, five assists and five rebounds on 45/41/89 shooting. Including the loss to the Bulls, the Warriors have gone 1-3 since his injury.
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