Veteran big man Al Horfordwho is recovering from a right soleus (calf) strain, will miss his 14th consecutive game on Thursday. However, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said Horford went through a 5-on-5 scrimmage on Wednesday and is optimistic the 39-year-old will be active for Friday’s game vs. Sacramento, as Nick Friedell of The Athletic tweets.
Golden State’s longtime coach is also hopeful Kristaps Porzingis (general illness injury management, right knee soreness) will return to action on Friday. Porzingis was out Tuesday and will miss Thursday’s matchup with the Lakers as well.
As for Stephen CurryKerr said the star guard is doing well and will play Friday, Friedell adds (via Twitter).
Here’s more on the Warriors:
Curry and Porzingis were only able to play nine minutes together during Sunday’s loss to Houston, partly because Porzingis fouled out after 23 minutes. Seeing how the two players fit together will be critical ahead of Porzingis’ impending free agency, writes Danny Emerman of The San Francisco Standard. “I thought we have a lot more to prove out there,” Curry said. “I know he was in foul trouble all night. But there were a couple possessions — they tried to blitz me, get somebody in the pocket, KP’s spacing the floor, the defense has to make a decision. So, more of those reps will be great, not just for me and him, but for all of us to continue to build chemistry.”
Curry and his younger brother Seth Curry finally shared the court together on Sunday for the first time in an injury-plagued season for both players, according to Friedell of The Athletic. Steph, who called it a “special” day, said it was the first time they’d played together since high school. “It’s a dream come true,” Seth said. “We’ve played against each other for a while now. For us to be on the same floor together as teammates was a different dynamic, and I’m sure everybody was watching on the East Coast — (our mother) was over there sneaking pictures when we were both in the hall trying to get loose. She was really excited.”
Fifth-year center Charles Bassey earned praise from Kerr and Draymond Green after just two games with the team, per Monte Poole of NBC Sports Bay Area. The Nigerian big man finished Tuesday’s win with 14 points, 12 rebounds, two steals and two blocks and was plus-nine in 27 minutes. “It means a lot, man, to have this opportunity,” Bassey told NBC Sports Bay Area. “I’m just trying to use this because, you never know when your chance will come. It means a lot just being here. They gave me this opportunity, and it means a lot to me, my family and the team.”
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