Steve Kerr Offers Encouraging Injury Updates on Steph Curry and Kristaps Porzingis as Warriors Eye Second-Half Surge
As the Golden State Warriors head into the All-Star break, there’s a rare sense of collective exhale around the team. No one from the roster will be suiting up for this weekend’s festivities - Steph Curry was selected but won’t participate due to injury - which means the entire squad gets a valuable window to rest, recover, and reset.
And for a Warriors team that’s been navigating a season full of moving pieces, that downtime couldn’t come at a better moment.
Curry Trending in the Right Direction
Let’s start with the face of the franchise. Steph Curry has been sidelined with a knee issue - specifically a runner’s knee problem - and while it kept him out of the All-Star Game, the latest update from head coach Steve Kerr suggests there’s reason for optimism.
“I talked to Steph earlier and he said he was feeling better, so he’s trending in a good direction,” Kerr said. “It’ll be just day-to-day when he comes back.”
That’s exactly what Warriors fans wanted to hear. Curry’s presence on the floor remains the heartbeat of this team. His gravity, leadership, and shot-making are irreplaceable, and with the team fighting to stay in the playoff mix, getting him back at full strength is priority number one.
Porzingis Nearing Warriors Debut
Then there’s the new guy - Kristaps Porzingis. Acquired at the trade deadline in a deal that sent Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield the other way, Porzingis has yet to suit up for Golden State. A mix of illness and Achilles tendinitis has limited him to just 17 games this season, but there’s finally light at the end of the tunnel.
“Kristaps played today and was moving better than yesterday,” Kerr said after the team’s loss to the Spurs on Wednesday. “He seemed to be in a good rhythm.
I didn’t see it, but the development coaches did. I think it was still half-court, but I believe it was 5s.
They said he looked good, so we’ll just see how it works out.”
That’s a promising sign for the Warriors, who are hoping Porzingis’ unique skill set - rim protection, floor spacing, and interior scoring - can help elevate both ends of the floor. If healthy, he brings a dimension this team hasn’t had in recent years.
Projecting the Warriors’ Rotation When Fully Healthy
With so many moving parts this season - from injuries to trades to player development - the Warriors’ rotation is still very much a work in progress. But with Curry and Porzingis both trending toward returns, the pieces are starting to come into focus.
Porzingis is expected to slot in as the starting center. That move allows Draymond Green to shift back to his more natural power forward spot, where he can focus on anchoring the defense and facilitating the offense without having to constantly battle bigger bodies in the paint.
Curry, of course, resumes his role at point guard. The remaining two starting spots? That’s where things get interesting.
Right now, it looks like a battle between Moses Moody, De’Anthony Melton, and Brandin Podziemski. Moody’s two-way play gives him a strong case - he’s been consistent on both ends and offers valuable spacing.
Melton, while still on a minutes restriction, brings defensive toughness and veteran savvy. Podziemski, meanwhile, has flashed plenty of playmaking upside and shooting touch.
And don’t sleep on Gui Santos. The 6-foot-8 wing has been playing the best basketball of his young career lately, and his size and versatility could tempt Kerr into going with a bigger lineup that features Santos at the three.
Veteran Depth and the Wild Cards
Behind that core group, the Warriors have a mix of experience and youth to round out the rotation.
Al Horford and Quinten Post are expected to bolster the frontcourt. With Porzingis, Green, and Horford all having significant wear on their bodies - and Post still adjusting to the NBA grind - it’s likely all four bigs will be called upon regularly to manage minutes and matchups.
Then there’s the back end of the rotation, which includes Gary Payton II, Will Richard, Pat Spencer, and Seth Curry. Payton’s defense and energy make him a strong candidate for consistent minutes, especially in matchups that demand perimeter stops. Richard has shown enough flashes to stay in the mix, while Spencer and Curry are more situational - Spencer for ball-handling depth, Curry for pure shooting when the offense needs a spark.
Looking Ahead
The Warriors have been through a lot this season - roster changes, injuries, and the usual ups and downs of an 82-game grind. But with Curry and Porzingis both inching closer to returns, there’s a real chance this team could hit the reset button and make a second-half push.
If the pieces fit and the health holds, Golden State could be one of the more intriguing teams to watch down the stretch. The talent is there. Now it’s about putting it all together.