Steph Curry ‘Optimistic’ He’ll Be Ready For Warriors’ NBA Playoff Opener, But Will Face Minutes Restriction

Steph Curry hasn’t played in more than a month due to a left foot strain sustained March 16, but he is eyeing a return for the Golden State Warriors first playoff game with the Denver Nuggets on Saturday night.

“The goal has always been game one, the goal still remains game one,” Curry said on teammate Draymond Green‘s podcast.

“Very optimistic that it’ll be game one. And we know what time of year it is. We haven’t been in the playoffs for two years, it is kind of weird to think about that. I’m so freaking juiced because I know how much I love that environment. I don’t want to miss any of it.”

Curry fully participated in the Warriors practice Thursday and will be reevaluated Friday before any decision is made, according to ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. He will then be under a minutes-restriction when he does return, Andrews reported.

“Steph did scrimmage, three six-minute segments,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He felt good and he’s such a diligent worker, he’s been working so hard on his conditioning and his rhythm the last couple weeks. We’ll just take it a day at a time and see where it all goes.”

Curry is tied for the third highest winning percentage in NBA postseason history among players to play at least 100 games. He’s at 77-35 (.688), trailing only teammates Green and Klay Thompson (86-37/.699).

Curry averaged 25.5 points, 6.3 assists and 5.2 rebounds over 64 games during the regular season. Without him, the Warriors went 1-6 in late March, but ended the season with a five-game winning streak to earn the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference.

The Warriors won three NBA titles in 2015, ‘17 and ‘18, but Kerr told reporters Thursday he “doesn’t have any expectations” heading into this year’s postseason compared with previous years.

“It makes it really fun,” he said. “ “… It’s a completely different challenge, and unique.”