Curry cleared to return against Pelicans

Stephen Curry (#30) of the Golden State Warriors celebrates his three-point shot in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on February 26, 2018, in New York City. Elsa/Getty Images/AFP

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Stephen Curry was declared fit to return to the Golden State Warriors as the NBA champions prepare to face the New Orleans Pelicans in game two of the playoff series on Tuesday.

The Warriors confirmed in a statement that Curry was available to make his first appearance since spraining a knee ligament on March 23, near the end of the regular season.

Curry, a two-time NBA Most Valuable Player, had been expected to return after being described as “probable” by coach Steve Kerr on Monday.

“He’s feeling good. I’d be very surprised if he didn’t play,” Kerr told reporters.

Kerr said the Warriors’ emphatic victory over the Pelicans in game one of the series would not tempt him to delay Curry’s return or limit his minutes.

“Not at all. Because the flip side of that is he needs rhythm,” Kerr said.

“The only factor in terms of allowing him to play is his health. And he’s ready to go. So now it’s a question of rhythm and how much time we give him. He needs to get his rhythm back.”

The Warriors defeated San Antonio 4-1 in the best-of-seven opening round of the playoffs and demolished the Pelicans 123-101 on Saturday.

© Agence France-Presse