Stephen Curry expected to play Warriors’ opener against Lakers after ankle scare

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr expects Stephen Curry to play in the team’s regular-season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers in Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 21, after Curry tweaked his right ankle during an open scrimmage Sunday. Curry practiced in full Monday, easing concern over his availability for the first game of the season.

Curry’s ankle after the open scrimmage

Curry rolled the ankle on a dribble move from the right wing midway through Sunday’s scrimmage, TSN reported. He stopped play, banged the ball on the floor and limped to the locker room. He did not return to the scrimmage, which was held in front of teammates and fans.

Warriors’ availability for the Lakers opener

Curry’s expected return matters to a Golden State lineup already dealing with several absences. Starting wings Moses Moody and Jimmy Butler III are rehabilitating serious knee injuries and are expected back around midseason, according to TSN. Starting center Kristaps Porzingis remains out indefinitely because of a private health issue and will not travel with the team to Los Angeles, the outlet reported.

Starting guard Brandin Podziemski missed Monday’s practice with lower back tightness and is questionable for the opener, TSN reported. That leaves the Warriors awaiting another practice before the game even as Kerr expects Curry to be available.

The Warriors have managed Curry’s workload ahead of the season. TSN reported that a persistent right knee problem kept him out for 27 games last season and that he changed his summer routine to better manage it. Golden State limited his preseason minutes, and Kerr said Curry would practice less to ease his workload. That longer-term knee management is separate from the ankle problem that interrupted Sunday’s scrimmage.