Golden State Warriors are handed a boost as Steph Curry is listed as ‘probable to return’ against the LA Lakers following an 11-game absence due to a knee injury – with Andre Iguodala also ‘available’ for Sunday’s matchup
The Golden State Warriors are looking forward to having the superstar advantage for a change when they open a three-game trip against the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon.
The Warriors are expecting Stephen Curry, 34, to return from an 11-game absence due to a partially torn ligament in his left knee when they meet the Lakers for a fourth and final time this season.
This time, they won’t have to deal with LeBron James, who remains out with a foot injury. Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala is also set to be available in only his second game of the season after dealing with right hip pain that’s kept him out of NBA action since January 13.
The 39-year-old, small forward missed the first 39 games of the season in what the Warriors described as a left hip injury. Iguodala returned to the Bay Area for his 19th and final NBA season in October on a veterans minimum.
The last time the Western Conference playoff hopefuls met, the Lakers took advantage of Curry’s absence to run up a 124-111 home triumph 10 days ago. James flirted with a triple-double before finishing with 13 points, nine rebounds and eight assists.
Stephen Curry returns from a left knee injury that forced him to miss 11 games for the Warriors
Veteran small forward Andre Iguodala is also available on Sunday after suffering hip soreness
Before that, Curry outscored James 33-31 on opening night when the Warriors handed out their 2022 championship rings before seizing a 123-109 victory.
They then both sat out a February 11 rematch in Los Angeles, won 109-103 by the Lakers. Dennis Schroder paced the hosts in that one with 26 points.
The Warriors have gone 7-4 in Curry’s absence. But all seven of those wins came in eight home games, while they interspersed road losses at Portland and against both Los Angeles teams.
The Warriors are coming off a five-game home sweep. Then again, they have lost their last five on the road.
All five Golden State home wins over the past nine days have been in come-from-behind fashion, the last four – against Minnesota, Portland, the Clippers and New Orleans – from as many as 14-, 23-, 12- and 17-point deficits.
Klay Thompson averaged 28.6 points in the five wins, shooting 28-for-55 (51 percent) on 3-pointers. He has led the NBA in three-pointers over that stretch.
‘Every one of these wins, it felt like it was marked by our team kind of getting over the hump,’ Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Saturday’s 108-99 victory over the Pelicans.
‘It’s been exciting to see our team turn a corner. But we still need to go out and win on the road.’
Desperate for wins as they look up at the Warriors and nine other teams in the Western standings, the Lakers tipped off a five-game homestand with a 110-102 loss to the Timberwolves on Friday.
Lakers forward LeBron James remains out for the Lakers after injuring himself against Dallas
Lakers’ Anthony Davis will continue to run LA’s offense in James’ absence against Curry & Co.
Anthony Davis made 12 of his 22 shots and had 38 points for the Lakers, but his nine teammates who saw action went just 24-for-64 (38 percent) and totaled just 64 points.
The Lakers fell to 1-2 since James sustained his injury a week ago against Dallas. Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham didn’t like the effort against Minnesota.
‘I’ve been around this thing 26 years,’ he said. ‘Multiple championships. Multiple trips as a player and a coach to the postseason.’
‘[…]We’re playing for one of the most recognizable, historic franchises on the face of the earth. If that doesn’t motivate you to go out and try to be the best version of yourself, I don’t know what will.’
