Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is making progress from a Grade 2 left MCL sprain and will begin participating in portions of practices starting on Saturday. He will be re-evaluated in one week.
Curry, who has traveled with the team on the last two road trips, underwent his second re-evaluation on Friday and it indicated he's ready to increase his on-court rehabilitation. The intensity level will gradually grow for the two-time MVP.
Golden State has a 3-0 lead in its first-round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. Curry is expected to return to action during the second round.
Warriors officials are taking a precautionary approach. They will hold Curry out as long as possible to ensure that he's closer to 100 percent upon re-entering the lineup, sources say.
The key to the Warriors reaching the NBA Finals for the fourth consecutive year is a healthy Curry, who has missed the team's last 13 games.
The examination, according to the Warriors, “indicated that Stephen continues to make consistent functional progress since the injury.”
Curry has been going through individual workouts daily, sometimes twice, in an effort to increase strength and range of motion. After the team’s shootaround on Thursday, he spent more than an hour going through light drills under the supervision of the training staff.
The typical recovery time for a Grade 2 MCL sprain is four to six weeks.
The point guard has only played in 51 games this season, averaging 26.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 6.1 assists.
If the Pelicans, holding their own 3-0 lead in their series, also sweep the Trail Blazers, then the Warriors might have an early start to the second round. That early start could force Golden State to begin the second round without Curry.
The Warriors have been fine without Curry so far, but they obviously want their star back sooner rather than later. He's had a very frustrating season injury wise and only played in 51 games. The Warriors likely can't wait for him to get back on the court, but for now, they'll just have to keep relying on life without him.
