© John Glaser-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND — Stephen Curry will sit Game 1 of the Warriors Western Conference Semifinals matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night. But Steve Kerr said it is ‘very likely’ Curry will play in Game 2 Tuesday night, which will be the first time he has seen game action since March 23.
“(I) just made the decision based on giving him the extra few days and the fact that he only scrimmaged yesterday,” Kerr said prior to Game 1 Saturday. “So, when you have been out five weeks, and you are playing in the Playoffs, I don’t think one scrimmage is enough, even though he feels great. And he wants to play, pleaded his case. We are sitting him tonight, and (it is) very likely he plays Game 2.”
Kerr said he made the decision to sit Curry for Game 1 Saturday morning.
The Warriors head coach said there could be a minutes restriction for Curry in place for Game 2, but that will be determined Tuesday. He added it’s possible Curry won’t start, though he didn’t give any guarantees.
“Everything is a possibility,” Kerr said. “If there is a minutes restriction, maybe we would consider bringing him off the bench for timing purposes.”
Tuesday night will be the first time Curry has played in the past 16 games, including Saturday night’s Game 1 matchup with the Pelicans.