The Golden State Warriors get a boost as Steph Curry is listed as “likely to return” against the LA Lakers after an 11-game absence due to a knee injury, as Andre Iguodala is also “available” for the game’s matchup. Sunday.
The Golden State Warriors will hope to have the superstar advantage for a change when they open a three-game road trip against the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday afternoon.
The Warriors expect 34-year-old Stephen Curry to return from an 11-game absence with a partially torn ligament in his left knee when they take on the Lakers for the fourth and final time this season.
This time, they won’t have to deal with LeBron James, who remains sidelined with a foot injury. Warriors veteran Andre Iguodala will also be available in just his second game of the season after dealing with right hip pain that has kept him out of NBA action since Jan. 13.
The 39-year-old forward missed the first 39 games of the season with what the Warriors described as a left hip injury. Iguodala returned to the Bay Area for his nineteenth and final NBA season in October with a bare minimum of veterans.
The last time the Western Conference playoff hopefuls met, the Lakers took advantage of Curry’s absence to a 124-111 home win 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 with the Warriors
Veteran forward Andre Iguodala is also available Sunday after suffering hip pain.
Prior to that, Curry outscored James 33-31 on opening night as the Warriors handed over their 2022 championship rings before earning a 123-109 victory.
The two then sat out a rematch on February 11 in Los Angeles, won 109-103 by the Lakers. Dennis Schroder paced the hosts in that 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 in Portland and against both Los Angeles teams.
The Warriors are coming off a five-game home sweep. Then again, they’ve lost their last five on the road.
All five of Golden State’s home wins in the last nine days have come from behind, the last four, against Minnesota, Portland, the Clippers and New Orleans, by as many as 14, 23, 12 and 17. – Points deficit.
Klay Thompson averaged 28.6 points in the five wins, shooting 28-of-55 (51 percent) on 3-pointers. He has led the NBA in 3-pointers in that stretch.
“Every one of these wins, it felt like it was marked by the fact that our team got over the hurdle,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after Saturday’s 108-99 win over the Pelicans.
‘It’s been exciting to see our team turn the corner. But we still have to go out and win away from home.’
Desperate to win as they watch the Warriors and nine other teams in the West standings, the Lakers kicked 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 getting injured against Dallas
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis will continue to run the Los Angeles offense in James’ absence against Curry & Co.
Anthony Davis made 12 of 22 shots and scored 38 points for the Lakers, but his nine teammates who saw action shot just 24 of 64 (38 percent) and totaled just 64 points.
The Lakers have fallen to 1-2 since James suffered his injury a week ago against Dallas. Los Angeles coach Darvin Ham did not like the effort against Minnesota.
“I’ve been at this for 26 years,” he said. ‘Multiple championships. Multiple trips as a player and coach to the postseason.
‘[…]We’re playing for one of the most recognizable storied franchises on the face of the earth. If that doesn’t motivate you to go out there and try to be the best version of yourself, I don’t know what will.’