November 11, 2019

  • Nick FriedellESPN Staff Author

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      Nick Friedell is the Chicago Bulls beat reporter for ESPN Chicago. Friedell is a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and joined ESPNChicago.com for its launch in April 2009.

SAN FRANCISCO -- Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he expects to play at some point this flavour after breaking his left manus in an Oct. 30 loss to the Phoenix Suns.

Curry, who had surgery on Nov. one in Los Angeles, was in skilful spirits every bit he spoke to the media for the first fourth dimension since the injury prior to Monday's game confronting the Utah Jazz.

"I definitely expect to exist fix to play," Curry said. "I don't know when -- at some point in early on spring. Just a matter of the rehab procedure. I've never obviously cleaved anything and dealt with a hand injury like this. ... [Simply] I'm excited near the potential that the rest of the season isn't lost "

Back-scratch, who wore a large caryatid around his paw, is expected to be out at least three months as he recovers. He said he will need another procedure on his hand in a few weeks as part of the recovery procedure.

"As part of the rehab, I have to get a 2d procedure done at the beginning of December probably and remove some of the pins that they put in in that location," he said. "And so the swelling'south going to be something that'southward of the utmost priority early on in the rehab process to requite me a take a chance to come dorsum and get my range of motion back pretty quickly. Then travel is not in the cards right now, merely hopefully when the new year hits, I'll be able to be on the route and progress rapidly in terms of things that I can practice on the court, in the weight room, all that type of stuff, and obviously exist effectually the team as much as I can."

The Warriors, meanwhile, are ii-9, with Curry i of the many missing pieces from the team's championship core. Klay Thompson, recovering from a left ACL injury, is amidst them, and it's unclear when he will brand his return to the flooring. Back-scratch said he looks forwards to the twenty-four hours when they'll both be out there again.

Coach Steve Kerr remains hopeful that both Curry and Thompson could return at some point later in the flavor and help the Warriors' younger players grow within the organization'south system.

"Information technology would be great," Kerr said subsequently Mon'southward loss to the Jazz. "What nosotros're trying to do this year is build for the future. Obviously, Steph and Klay are office of the core, the core grouping, along with Draymond, in terms of what we want to accomplish long-term. So the idea of bringing some of these young guys forth and helping them to be able to be part of the core going frontwards, that means they need to play together. All those guys need to play together. And then information technology'd be neat to get some time with Steph and Klay later on in the yr."

Curry was equally upbeat.

"I love to play basketball," he said. "I love having fun. I know Klay does, besides. Nosotros're like some caged animals right at present, ready to get unleashed back to what we practise. Selfishly speaking, information technology should exist fun for both of us, just to play basketball."

Curry is also hoping he can offer words of communication and encouragement for his younger teammates who are holding downwardly the fort in the concurrently. He admitted that he is struggling with beingness away from the group.

"My ankle surgery was way back in the 24-hour interval. Information technology was over the summer, so it was a little easier to kind of cope," he said. "Obviously, in that location's action every 24-hour interval -- watching games on Goggle box every day is no fun. Patently, I enjoy spending fourth dimension with my family, but when you're out there missing games, it's always tough. I'chiliad non skillful at just sitting down and resting, and then I got to effigy that out."

Kerr said he is hoping to continue his star guard engaged as much equally possible over the next few months.

"He doesn't go too high or besides low," Kerr said. "More than anything, I know he's bored. He wants to be a function of things. Wants to be out on the court. He's just gotta be patient. Get good for you. Once he'south good for you and ready to ringlet, he'll be out there."

Although the two-time MVP wishes he could be on the flooring with the rest of his teammates, Curry is hopeful that he can use the time away to give the rest of his trunk a break after 5 consecutive trips to the NBA Finals the by 5 seasons.

"Kind of treating information technology like a mini-offseason, where you have three months to piece of work on your body," Back-scratch said. "Patently, get some rest, but build a new foundation for what blazon of player I want to exist coming back from this injury and hopefully not missing a beat in terms of my rhythm."

On a brighter note, Curry smiled when he remembered that Monday marked 10 years to the twenty-four hours since he sent out this memorable tweet.

"All-time tweet ever," he said with a smile. "I don't remember where I was. I definitely recall sending information technology out, though."

Equally he looked dorsum on the ten years since, Back-scratch reminisced on all the success the Warriors have had.

"It's been a great, cracking journey," he said. "It's non over yet -- that's the fun part. Simply 10 years is kind of a expert lens to look back and see all that we've achieved. ... I didn't really know what I was talking about equally a rookie, but I had a lot of confidence in myself and what I could do on this level and obviously the guys that I eventually got to play with to practice information technology at that high level. So unbelievable experiences. Hopefully, in that location'south more than to come up."