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Prior to Game 1 in Golden State’s Western Conference Semifinals matchup with the New Orleans Pelicans, Steve Kerr discussed his plan for Stephen Curry’s return with the superstar point guard. The two-time NBA MVP hadn’t played in an NBA game since he suffered a Grade 2 left MCL sprain March 23.
Kerr’s plan was for Curry to start the game on the bench and play anywhere from 20-to-25 minutes. Curry compromised.
But Kerr decided to hold out Curry altogether for Game 1, resulting in a 123-101 Warriors win, giving him two additional nights of rest prior to Game 2 to ensure he was ready. Before Tuesday night’s 121-116 win, Curry approached Kerr to reconvene.
“(Curry) is all set to go for Game 2, and he comes to me and he says, ‘Why don’t we do the same plan?’” Kerr said in his weekly appearance with KNBR Wednesday afternoon. “I mean, our guys played great in Game 1, we are in a nice groove, the way we are starting out defensively is great. Let’s do the same thing, only for Game 2.’ It’s like, ‘OK — sounds great.’”
Curry’s return was nothing short of glorious. From the moment he emerged from the bench to approach the scorer’s table, Oracle Arena showered him in cheers. Eleven seconds after he checked in, he drilled a three-pointer, and a thunderous ovation reverberated.
“That’s a rare combination,” Kerr said. “Most guys with that kind of humility, they don’t want to shoot (11) seconds into the game. They are going to stay humble. He is humble off the floor and wildly arrogant on the floor. It’s so great. I mean, we basically call a play just to get the ball moving and he comes off and launches immediately. And it just brings the house down. Amazing.”
Curry scored 11 points in fewer than seven minutes, showing no lingering signs from his knee injury. He finished with 28 points in 26 minutes. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans by 26 points with Curry on the floor.
His return went as smoothly as anyone could have hoped. Starting the game on the bench just added anticipated drama and expectation, which Curry exceeded.
“How many superstars would actually suggest (to come off the bench)?” Kerr said. “Not a lot. That’s what makes him special. He’s got superstar talent but 12th-man humility.”
Listen to the Tolbert & Lund segment with Kerr below. To hear Kerr reflect on his conversation with Curry, skip to 3:45.