Steph Curry Set to Play Saturday, Warriors Stay Hot Despite Injury to Gui Santos
SAN FRANCISCO - The Warriors are rolling, and Steph Curry remains right in the middle of it. After a win over the Knicks on Thursday night, there was a brief moment of uncertainty when Curry didn’t speak postgame, but head coach Steve Kerr quickly put any concerns to rest.
“Steph, he’s good,” Kerr said after Friday’s practice. “He’s fine for Saturday’s game against the Hornets.”
That’s a relief for Golden State, who have now won 10 of their last 14 and are starting to look like a team finding its rhythm. Curry’s been as essential as ever during this stretch, averaging 26.9 points and 6.2 assists per game. He’s doing what he always does-bending defenses, hitting impossible shots, and keeping the Warriors’ offense humming.
But while Curry’s status is solid, the team will be without a rising contributor on Saturday.
Gui Santos Out with Ankle Sprain
Forward Gui Santos left Thursday’s game with a left ankle sprain and will miss Saturday’s matchup. Fortunately, the injury doesn’t appear to be serious.
“Won’t play Saturday, and it looks like it’s not a really bad sprain,” Kerr said. “I’ll give you an update in a couple of days.”
Santos’ absence is more than just a footnote. Over the last 10 games, he’s carved out a real role in the rotation, averaging 3.2 rebounds in about 16 minutes per game. Those numbers don’t fully capture the energy he brings-crashing the glass, making hustle plays, and giving the Warriors versatility when paired with Gary Payton II and Draymond Green in smaller lineups.
“It’s a big loss,” Kerr admitted. “The energy, the offensive rebounding, but also the size-when we go to him and Gary Payton II, we’re generally playing him at the four next to Draymond.”
Santos has become one of those glue guys who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact, and his absence will be felt, even if only for a short time.
Practice Time Paying Off
This current eight-game homestand has been a luxury for the Warriors-not just because of the home-court advantage, but because it’s given them something increasingly rare in today’s NBA: time to practice.
Kerr, who played in the 1990s when practices were a regular part of the grind, has taken full advantage of the schedule’s brief gaps to get his team on the court for structured work.
“We’re sharper for what we did for just over 20 minutes,” he said. “It may not seem like much, but it matters, just to clean up little details. They go into the game tomorrow a little sharper with our execution.”
It’s a subtle but important edge. In a league where travel and tight schedules often force teams to prioritize rest over reps, even short practices can help fine-tune execution and reinforce habits.
Horford Settling In
The homestand has also been a turning point for veteran big man Al Horford, who’s finally finding a groove after a bumpy start to the season.
“I’m just not really overthinking plays,” Horford said. “I’m just going out there and playing and executing the things I need to do.”
Horford’s early season was disrupted by injuries and restrictions on back-to-backs, but with more consistency in the schedule, he’s been able to settle into a rhythm. He’s played in the last six games, hitting 8 of 23 from three-point range-a sign that his shooting touch is coming back.
“You get into a routine and you can stay consistent,” he added. “Avoiding those back-to-backs is always helpful, since I can’t play them.”
Horford’s presence gives the Warriors another steadying force in the frontcourt-someone who can stretch the floor, defend multiple positions, and bring veteran poise to key moments.
Looking Ahead
With Curry healthy, Horford finding his footing, and Kerr maximizing every opportunity to fine-tune the team, the Warriors are trending in the right direction. Losing Santos, even temporarily, is a setback, but this is a team that’s learning how to win again-and doing it by staying sharp, staying connected, and leaning on the leadership of their stars and veterans.
Saturday’s game against the Hornets will be another opportunity to keep that momentum going.