OAKLAND, Calif. — Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will not travel to Friday night’s preseason game in Seattle against the Sacramento Kings.
“Steph practiced,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Thursday. “There’s just a personal matter; he’s going to stay home.”
All-Star forward Draymond Green (sore left knee) did not practice for the third straight day, but Kerr is optimistic that Green will be back on the floor soon.
“Draymond did not practice, but is feeling much better,” Kerr said. “And got really good conditioning in on the sideline on the bike. We’re just going to be safe, not play him [Friday]. We’ve got a day off Saturday, kind of take it day by day. He’s progressing well.”
Despite the absences of Curry and Green, Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant is expected to play in front of the Pacific Northwest fans who cheered him in his rookie season as a member of the Seattle Supersonics.
The All-Star wore green shoes from his signature Nike collection at practice the past couple days and is excited about the chance to play in front of a fan base that gave him a lot of support as a young player.
“I think his shoes tell the story,” Kerr said. “He’s got a strong connection with Seattle having played there for a year, basically drafted by that organization. I think he’s going to get a huge ovation so in my mind [Friday] night’s game is really about Kevin and it’s about the Sonics and the history of the league in Seattle.”
This will mark the first time in over 10 years that KeyArena has hosted an NBA game. Durant said he expects the moment to “special.”
“Take advantage of the opportunity,” Durant said. “Have some fun playing ball, and hopefully we give the fans a show.”