Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is confident … or at least ready to play with Shaquille O’Neal. The second point guard appeared on Wednesday in the episode of O’Neal’s podcast “The Big Podcast with Shaq”. A moment later would go viral on Sunday. In the clip in circulation, O’Neal Young asked how many years it […]
Trae Young says he will overtake Stephen Curry as NBA’s top shooter in a year — archyde
After Stephen Curry’s return to the court Thursday after 58 games, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he knew last summer that the Warriors wouldn’t be the same team.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr after Curry’s comeback: ‘We’re never going to be the team we were’ — Santa Cruz Sentinel
SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night. Read More
Powell’s career night leads Raptors and spoils Curry’s Warriors return — Toronto Sun
SAN FRANCISCO — There was no championship on the line and the game wasn’t held in Oakland, but there was still some deja vu for the Raptors on Thursday night.
Just like last June, Toronto bested Golden State, spoiling the return of superstar guard Stephen Curry following a 58-game absence.
The Warriors fought hard, but were outlasted by the visitors 121-113.
Toronto clinched its seventh straight playoff appearance after making the post-season only five times in its first 18 seasons.
Norman Powell led the way with a career-high 37 points, Kyle Lowry added 26 and Serge Ibaka returned from a three-game absence and had 13 points and 13 rebounds. The Warriors missed two clutch free throws late and couldn’t connect from three twice after grabbing offensive rebounds, allowing the Raptors to pick up the victory. Curry scored 23 and added seven assists and seven rebounds in an impressive, rust-free performance.
The buzz was back in the Bay — Warriors head coach Steve Kerr joked pre-game about how many more media members had suddenly appeared, jumping on the bandwagon now that Curry was healthy. But the team was without Draymond Green and Kevon Looney, robbing the defence of any resistance, especially at the rim, while all-star guard Klay Thompson won’t play this season after tearing his ACL during the NBA Finals against Toronto. The Raptors weren’t whole either, though Ibaka played. Fred VanVleet and Marc Gasol were both not quite ready, but are close.
Curry looked as good as ever. He connected on a four-point play in the third quarter, buried three-pointers from all over the floor and made some clever passes against an opponent he always beats up on. Only Allen Iverson has averaged more points per game against the Raptors. His new sidekick Andrew Wiggins sparkled in the fourth quarter, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds.
IN JURY REPORT 8:30 P.M. THURSDAY
Golden State Warriors Bowman, Ky Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Green, Draymond Out Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Soreness
Looney, Kevon Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Soreness
Smailagic, Alen Out Injury/Illness – Right Quadriceps; Contusion
Thompson, Klay Out Injury/Illness – Left Acl; Rehabilitation
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way
Gasol, Marc Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Ibaka, Serge Probable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness
VanVleet, Fred Doubtful Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Soreness
Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
INJURY REPORT 5:30 P.M. THURSDAY
Golden State Warriors Bowman, Ky Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Game Date Game Time Matchup Team Player Name Current Status Reason
Green, Draymond Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Knee; Soreness
Looney, Kevon Out Injury/Illness – Left Hip; Soreness
Smailagic, Alen Out Injury/Illness – Right Quadriceps; Contusion
Thompson, Klay Out Injury/Illness – Left Acl; Rehabilitation
Toronto Raptors Brissett, Oshae Out G League – Two-Way
Gasol, Marc Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Hamstring; Tightness
Hernandez, Dewan Out Injury/Illness – Right Ankle; Sprain
Ibaka, Serge Questionable Injury/Illness – Right Knee; Soreness
VanVleet, Fred Questionable Injury/Illness – Left Shoulder; Soreness
Watson, Paul Out G League – Two-Way
Stephen Curry will return to the Golden State Warriors lineup Thursday night against the NBA champion Toronto Raptors — a rematch of last season’s final — and he expects to be limited to between 24-28 minutes
He has missed 58 games since suffering a broken bone in his left hand against the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 30. The hand required two surgeries.
“It feels like the first day of school all over again, which is exciting,” Curry told reporters in San Francisco at the Warriors shootaround.said. “I feel pretty comfortable and pretty confident with where I’m at physically. I’m excited to get back out there.”
The anticipation ahead of Curry’s return is palpable. After shootaround at the Chase Center.
Meanwhile, the Raptors listed three players as questionable for the game — Marc Gasol (hamstring), Serge Ibaka (knee) and Fred VanVleet (shoulder). Gasol has missed 14 games and Ibaka and VanVleet three each. Ibaka and VanVleet indicated before Tuesday’s win over the Phoenix Suns that they hoped to play Thursday, the third of a five-game Western Conference road trip.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said he intends to play Curry in in five- or six-minute bursts while keeping his minute total about 25 on Thursday.
Curry will be trying to end a career-long losing streak at home. When the Warriors lost to the Suns on Oct. 30 after Curry left with a broken hand, it marked the fifth straight loss at home for the Warriors with Curry was in the lineup. The previous worst had been four consecutive losses with the All-Star guard in the lineup.
Curry and the Warriors dropped three consecutive home games at Oracle in the NBA Finals against the Raptors in June, including a 114-110 defeat in Toronto’s title-clinching Game 6 win on June 13. And then the Warriors dropped both of their games at Chase Center with Curry playing in October.
Both teams are coming off victories on Tuesday. The Warriors startled the Nuggets 116-100 at Denver for only their 14th win this season. Toronto won 123-114 at Phoenix.
According to STATS:
Last Night’s Scores: Milwaukee Bucks: 126 vs. Detroit Pistons: 106 Performance of the Game: G. Antetokounmpo (33 pts, 16 rebs) Charlotte Hornets: 103 vs. Chicago Bulls: 93 Performance of the Game: M. Monk (25 pts, 6 rebs) Miami Heat: 124 vs. Atlanta Hawks: 129 Performance of the Game: T. Young (50 pts, 8 asts) Memphis […]
NBA 2/20/20: Why Curry and Klay’s Injuries May Benefit the Warriors. — At The Buzzer
The Warriors never considered shutting down Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole will stay in his role, Draymond Green throws shade at Rockets, and updates to the Golden State roster
Steve Kerr on Steph Curry’s coming return: ‘Our fans deserve it’ — Marin Independent Journal
The view from left field 