Warriors’ Curry ‘very optimistic’ he will be ready for NBA playoff opener

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors is “very optimistic” that he will be able to return from a foot injury in time for Saturday’s NBA playoff opening against Denver.

Curry, who has been out for about a month due to a damaged ligament in his left foot, claimed on Draymond Green’s podcast that he did not want to miss a minute of the Warriors’ two-year playoff run.

“The goal has always been game one, the goal still remains game one,” Curry said.

“Very optimistic that it’ll be game one.

“And we know what time of year it is. We haven’t been in the playoffs for two years, it is kind of weird to think about that. I’m so freaking juiced because I know how much I love that environment. I don’t want to miss any of it.”

Curry took part in the Warriors’ first playoff practise on Wednesday, and after drills, shooting, and skills work, he claimed he felt “very good.”

Gary Payton II, a teammate, claimed the Warriors’ leading scorer and eight-time All-Star “looked like Steph” at practise.

Curry averaged 25.5 points, 6.3 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in 64 games during the regular season.

“We know what he brings, what he does on the court and how he helps out and how he makes things difficult for other teams and easier for us,” Payton said. “So we’re just sticking to the game plan.”

The Warriors lost 1-6 without Curry from March 20-30, but finished the season on a five-game winning streak to clinch the Western Conference’s third seed.

The Warriors will be put to the test in the first round against a Nuggets club captained by Nikola Jokic, who is vying for his second consecutive NBA Most Valuable Player award.

The Serbian great averaged 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game this season.

“He’s dangerous in every regard — no matter how you play him, he’s got an answer for you,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said.

“It’s pick-your-poison. He can score one-on-one down on the block, brilliant passer. We’re going to have to be really, really sharp, because he’s not only one of the best players in the league, he’s one of the smartest. He’ll pick you apart if you’re not aware and on guard.”

The Dallas Mavericks play the Utah Jazz in another first-round series on Saturday, with injury worries surrounding Mavs star Luka Doncic.

The Memphis Grizzlies face the Minnesota Timberwolves in game one of their Western Conference series, while Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers face the Toronto Raptors in game one of their Eastern Conference series.

The Boston Celtics face the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday, while Giannis Antetokounmpo and the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks face the Chicago Bulls.

Top seeds in the Eastern Conference Miami and West leaders Phoenix both have home openers on Sunday, but both were awaiting the results of Friday’s final play-in games to find out who they will face.

The Heat will play the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Atlanta Hawks, while the Suns will play the Los Angeles Clippers or the New Orleans Pelicans.