Warriors’ Kerr gives timetable for possible Melton return, Curry’s injury diagnosis a ‘big relief’

SAN FRANCISCO – Over a year after tearing his ACL, guard De’Anthony Melton is nearing his return to the Warriors 

Having rehabbed with both the NBA franchise and its G-League affiliate in Santa Cruz since being re-signed as a free agent this September, Melton is almost ready to make his season debut. 

The 27-year-old combo guard scrimmaged against Santa Cruz players on Wednesday, and participated in Warriors practice on Friday afternoon.

“He won’t play the remainder of the home stand, but he’ll go on the (upcoming road) trip, and there’s a chance he’ll play on the trip,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. 

Melton played in six games and averaged 10.3 points per game before injuring his knee last season. 

His addition to the lineup could come at a time where the team is still missing its best players in Steph Curry. 

And the day after Thanksgiving, the Warriors were still thankful that their superstar does not appear set to miss extended time. 

Curry left Wednesday’s home game against the Rockets early with a leg injury. Tests later revealed that it was a left quad strain, and that he will be re-evaluated in a week. 

“It’s a big relief,” Kerr said, “You always worry when Steph goes down that it’s going to be something that’s going to keep him out for a while. So the fact that we’re taking it by the week and that it doesn’t appear to be anything too serious, it’s a great sign.”

Curry was present for Friday’s practice at Chase Center.

“He’s feeling fine, and he didn’t obviously do anything in practice today, but he’s here getting treatment and watching film with the guys,” Kerr said.  

More immediate reinforcements could be on the way in the form of Jonathan Kuminga. 

He has missed the past seven games with bilateral patellar tendinitis since exiting Nov. 12’s matchup in San Antonio shortly before halftime. 

The athletic forward still needs to be cleared by Rick Celebrini and the medical staff, but Kerr said he expects Kuminga to be listed as “questionable” for Saturday’s game against New Orleans. 

“He’s practiced now, a couple straight, maybe three straight days, so trending upward,” Kerr said. 

Kerr also mentioned that center Al Horford, who has missed the past two games with sciatica and will be re-evaluated after the New Orleans game, missed practice because of a “personal matter.”

Looney returns

New Orleans big man Kevon Looney will play his first game in the Bay Area since departing as a free agent over the summer.

The Warriors drafted Looney in 2015, and over the course of the a decade, he became a steady presence in the paint and in the locker room while helping the team win three titles. 

Looney did not play a single minute when the Warriors took on the Pelicans in New Orleans earlier this month.