Warriors’ Steph Curry nears return from quad injury: ‘I’m feeling great’

SAN FRANCISCO – Trayce Jackson-Davis was hit with not one, not two, but three Steph Curry ankle-breakers on one possession during the Warriors’ Thursday practice, a sequence that had a single, inevitable conclusion. 

“Then he hit a rainbow 3, if that tells you anything,” Jackson-Davis said. 

In other words, Steph Curry’s left quad seemed to be back to normal after an injury took him out of action for over two weeks.

Both Curry and coach Steve Kerr said the superstar guard is on track to make his return to the starting lineup for Friday’s game against the Timberwolves (7 p.m., NBC Sports Bay Area).

“I’m feeling great, had a good rehab week,” Curry said. “I’m happy to practice the last couple of days, and seeing how I feel after these last two sessions, I’m pretty optimistic.”

Curry injured his quad during a Nov. 26 matchup with the Houston Rockets, something that kept him out of the last five games. 

Instead of making the trip east with the team last week, he remained in the Bay Area and watched from afar as the Warriors went 2-1 against Philadelphia, Cleveland and Chicago. 

“Long days,” was how Curry described his rehab. “It’s monotonous, especially when the team is away. You have got to have some really good playlists going for four to six hours. You’re in here by yourself with Rick (Celebrini) and Dave Taylor putting in some good work. Long days, but you know you’re building to get back out there.”

While he did his best to simulate game action during his solo rehab and training sessions, Curry admitted there was no substitute for a real, full-speed NBA practice. 

“You can run, get back in shape, get shots up and do all of that with no defense,” Curry said. “Then (during practice) you remember how fast the game is, how athletic certain guys are, driving lanes, passing lanes … it’s good to get back out there and get some reps.”

Curry is averaging 27.9 points per game this season. With the Warriors’ heaviest hitter out for an extended period, the team handed the keys to the offense over to Pat Spencer. Even with Curry back, Spencer is expected to have a role in the rotation for a team that is 13-12. 

“When I’m out there, to be able to play off the ball with him initiating, taking advantage of the space and all that type of stuff, it should be pretty seamless,” Curry said. 

Though Curry appears to be set to return, Draymond Green is listed as out on the Warriors’ injury report for personal reasons. Kerr said the 35-year-old big man has been excused for the last two days of practice.. 

After the Warriors’ last home game against Oklahoma City, Green mentioned that his wife was soon expected to give birth to the couple’s fifth child. 

Both Curry and Kerr also spoke about Jonathan Kuminga, whose future status with the team is uncertain. Kerr reiterated that he still has a good relationship with the fifth-year forward who can be traded after Jan. 15. 

Meanwhile, Curry shared his thoughts on Kuminga’s path to success. 

“The hardest part is whether or not it’s going well, not losing your spirit, and that’s been JK’s challenge as a young player, because things change so quickly and there’s all these declarations about what or who he is as a player, does he fit and all that type of stuff,” Curry said. “We still have high hopes that he’ll impact our team this year.”