Warriors' Steve Kerr 'Optimistic' Stephen Curry Will Make Injury Return vs. Pelicans

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr is optimistic point guard Stephen Curry, who has missed two straight games with a pelvic contusion, will return Friday at the New Orleans Pelicans.

"He looked really good," Kerr said at his team's practice Thursday, per ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "He is going to go through his individual workout like he did the other day. That is where he can really feel and test certain things.

"I am optimistic [he will return Friday]."

Per Kerr, the Warriors had a six-minute scrimmage, and Curry also went through a post-practice individual workout. Kerr said Curry looked good during the scrimmage. The next step is seeing how Curry feels Friday.

Curry has averaged 24.1 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds in his 16th NBA season. The two-time NBA MVP, four-time NBA champion and 10-time All-NBA player is obviously an invaluable member of the Warriors as they fight for a playoff berth.

The Warriors' season received a much-needed boost after trading for Jimmy Butler, but Golden State has hit a snag of late without Curry, losing to the Atlanta Hawks 124-115 before falling 112-86 to the Miami Heat.

Despite that, the Warriors are still tied for sixth in the Western Conference. A top-six seed solidifies a playoff berth and lets the team avoid taking part in the play-in tournament.

Welcoming back Curry right now could help the team stem this losing tide at an opportune time. The Warriors have four games left in a six-game road trip, beginning Friday at the Pelicans.

Without Curry, the Warriors had put big man Quinten Post in the starting lineup before swapping him out for guard Gary Payton II. Both will hit the bench with Curry back, as the Warriors welcome their star player while also strengthening the second unit.