Steph Curry back for Warriors, triggering starting lineup tweak
WASHINGTON D.C. — Steph Curry easily defeated Buddy Hield in an impromptu 3-point contest at Monday morning’s shootaround in the Capital One Arena, then got cleared to play in Golden State’s 4:15 (Pacific) matchup against the Wizards.
Curry, who has missed the past three games with a left ankle sprain — officially described as a left peroneal strain — participated in practices and ramped up activity over the weekend. He was listed as questionable, but head coach Steve Kerr announced that Curry will play.
“It’s great,” Kerr said when asked about the excitement level of Curry’s return. “He’s Steph Curry, so I don’t think I need to elaborate.”
Curry, the 10-time All-Star and two-time MVP, is averaging 18.3 points, 5.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game while shooting 40.7% from behind the arc.
Without Curry, the Warriors (5-1) went 3-0, matching their win total in games without their superstar from last season. The team takes great pride in holding its own while Curry is sidelined, but is wholeheartedly excited to have him back.
In Curry’s absence, Golden State moved Jonathan Kuminga to the bench to optimize the shooting in their starting-five around Draymond Green and Trayce Jackson-Davis. They most recently started Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody and Andrew Wiggins next to that big pairing.
On Monday night, the Warriors started Curry, Gary Payton II, Wiggins, Green and Jackson-Davis. The Warriors have always loved how Payton plays with Curry even though he’s not a 3-point shooter.
Kuminga has excelled in his bench role, where Golden State can use him in lineups with more shooting.
Curry’s return comes at an opportune time for Golden State. After the Wizards game, they have three contests against arguably the three best teams in the NBA: the Celtics, Cavaliers and Thunder. The rest of this road trip is a big test for a Warriors team that has started the season stronger than most prognosticators expected.
“I think they’re very important,” Podziemski said of the team’s upcoming gauntlet at morning shootaround. “The win in Houston was super important, I think that’ll be critical come playoff time. And it’s just a good test early in the season to see where you’re at as a team, (against) some of the best teams in the league. We’re going to take a lot from it, win or lose.”
Barring another injury, they’ll have Curry for the test.
Notable
– Kyle Kuzma, Malcolm Brogdon, Sadidq Bey and Marvin Bagley III have all been ruled out for Washington due to injuries. Washington (2-3) last played on Saturday against the Heat in Mexico City, losing a 118-98 game. Both the Wizards’ wins came against the Hawks.
– Monday night is Steve Kerr’s 800th career game as a head coach – all with the Warriors. His .656 win percentage in the regular season ranks 14th all-time and second among active coaches with at least a season under their belt.
– Podziemski leads the NBA in plus-minus entering the Wizards game at +94. Boston’s Derrick White is second at +92.
– Buddy Hield’s passing has been a pleasant surprise for the Warriors, who have moved the ball exceptionally well to start the season. His 18.5% assist rate registers in the 85th percentile among wings, per Cleaning the Glass. Coaches have also praised Hield’s defensive effort.