Steph Curry Expected to Play in Opener After Ankle Scare

Curry avoids major injury before opener

Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is expected to play in Wednesday night's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers. Curry gave fans and teammates a scare on Sunday afternoon during an open scrimmage when he tweaked his right ankle.

Midway through the scrimmage, Curry rolled his ankle on a dribble move from the right wing. He stopped the play, banged the basketball on the floor, and limped off to the locker room. He did not return for the rest of the event. However, his ankle responded well overnight, and he returned to practice on Monday morning as a full participant.

Managing health and roster issues

Warriors coach Steve Kerr shared that Curry reassured him he was "fine" shortly after leaving the court on Sunday. The team medical staff cleared Curry to continue preparing for the regular season, with another practice scheduled for Tuesday before the game in Los Angeles.

Curry, who turns 39 in March, spent his summer adjusting his training routine to manage a right knee issue that kept him out for 27 games last season. To manage his workload, Kerr indicated that Golden State will reduce Curry's practice time going forward.

The Warriors are already dealing with several player absences. Starting wings Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III are both recovering from serious knee injuries and are not expected back until midseason. Starting center Kristaps Porzingis is out indefinitely with a private health issue and will not travel to Los Angeles. In addition, starting guard Brandin Podziemski missed practice on Monday due to lower back tightness, leaving his status for Wednesday as questionable.

What it means for the next game

Golden State Warriors at Los Angeles Lakers (NBA, Thu, 22 Oct): Los Angeles Lakers win 64%, Golden State Warriors win 36%; projected score Los Angeles Lakers 119, Golden State Warriors 114. Our safest pick: Warriors +13.5.

Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (NBA, Sat, 24 Oct): Golden State Warriors win 74%, Memphis Grizzlies win 26%; projected score Golden State Warriors 122, Memphis Grizzlies 115. Our safest pick: Grizzlies +15.5.