“I would imagine it’s something that we have to really monitor here,” Kerr said after a film review and practice at Chase Center. “Especially before the All-Star break where we’ve got to see if he could take on his usual workload.”
Curry underwent imaging Saturday that revealed patellofemoral pain syndrome (runner’s knee) in the sore right knee that forced him out of Friday’s loss to the Detroit Pistons. His status for Tuesday’s matchup with the Philadelphia 76ers at Chase Center is yet to be determined, but he’s “doing better,” according to Kerr.
Right knee soreness for Curry first emerged last Saturday during a workout in Minneapolis, where he sat out Monday night’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He played in Sunday’s win over Minnesota, but noted “something flared up (Saturday) when we came over to get a workout in. It was super weird.”
Curry is averaging 27.2 points (46.8% shooting, 39.1% 3-point shooting), 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists through 39 games of his 17th season. Without Jimmy Butler (torn right ACL), Curry is tasked with bearing a bigger offensive burden and navigating defensive schemes that target him even more than before. Kerr has played him for longer stretches, though not necessarily by design.
“It definitely puts a lot more stress on Steph’s shoulders not having Jimmy next to him to create shots, to take over the offense when needed,” Kerr said. “So, we have to account for that. We’re trying to do that with our lineup conversations but we’re also thinking about alternative ways to attack.”
The Warriors are eighth in the Western Conference at 27-23 and figuring out in real time how to manage Curry’s workload and win games. Added Kerr: “We’ve got to see if he can take on his usual workload or does he need to miss a game here or there? That’s something we all have to figure out.”
Golden State has five games before its All-Star break starts Feb. 12.
Kuminga’s health improving: Forward Jonathan Kuminga sat out Golden State’s past four games with a right knee bone bruise sustained a week ago Thursday in the first half of a loss to the Dallas Mavericks.
He worked out Saturday at Chase Center and is “feeling better,” according to Kerr. Kuminga has scored 30 points in 30 minutes since returning to the rotation (amid Butler’s season-ending injury) Jan. 20 with 20 points and five rebounds in a loss to the Toronto Raptors.
“He’s improving. He’s getting closer to being able to play,” said Kerr, who was unsure of Kuminga’s availability Tuesday, he noted.
Seth Curry update: Guard Seth Curry hasn’t played since Dec. 4 because of sciatica, but is making “good progress,” the Warriors announced Saturday. He’s progressed to “various on-court workouts” beyond his daily rehabilitation and is due in two weeks for a re-evaluation.