Stephen Curry Plans to Return Tuesday vs. Pelicans If Medical Staff Approves

Steph back? Not quite for Game 1. The Golden State Warriors star sat out Saturday night's 123-101 romp over the New Orleans Pelicans.

Unfortunately for the Pelicans, it appears they won't get such a reprieve for Game 2.

"If it were up to me, I would have played for about 20 minutes tonight," Stephen Curry told ESPN's Chris Haynes. "The plan is to return Tuesday, but ultimately it's up to the training staff. I feel good."

Curry has missed 22 of the Warriors' last 23 games (including the playoffs). His latest ailment was a Grade 2 MCL sprain suffered in a March 23 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters before the game it was "very likely" Curry would play in Game 2.

"Just made the decision based on giving him the extra few days and the fact he only scrimmaged yesterday," Kerr said. "You've been out five weeks, and we're playing in the playoffs. I don't think one scrimmage is enough, even though he feels great. He wants to play and pleaded his case. But we're going to sit him tonight, and very likely he'll play Game 2."

The Warriors have won five of their first six playoff games without Curry and had no trouble dispatching of a red-hot Pelicans team Saturday.

Klay Thompson had 27 points, Kevin Durant (26 points, 13 rebounds) had a double-double, and Draymond Green (16 points, 15 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, two blocks) went for a triple double. Golden State pulled away on the back of a 41-point second quarter.

Getting Curry back in the lineup is not necessarily a move to ensure a second-round victory—the Warriors are heavy favorites over the Pelicans, regardless of Curry's status. They are much more concerned with getting him back in game shape for a potential Western Conference Finals matchup against the Houston Rockets, where his presence will be needed.