Warriors rule out Stephen Curry for Friday, expect him back Saturday

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriorspoint guard Stephen Curry is expected to return to action Saturday against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies.

Curry already has been ruled out of Friday's contest against the Charlotte Hornets, the two-time MVP's hometown team. It will be the 11th straight game he has missed due to a right ankle sprain.

"I doubt he'll play tomorrow with a back-to-back," coach Steve Kerr said after practice Thursday. "I don't think it would make much sense, but I think he's probably going to want to. But it's more likely he plays Saturday. If all goes well, I expect him to play Saturday, but even if it goes well, I'm not expecting him to play tomorrow."

Curry participated in 5-on-0 drills during Thursday's practice. Afterward, he scrimmaged in 3-on-3 settings withZaza Pachulia, JaVale McGee, Kevon Looney, David West and Patrick McCaw. The scrimmage was blocked off to the media, with a blue curtain separating the game from where availability was held.

At the conclusion of the scrimmage, Curry walked away without any noticeable signs of discomfort. He will be re-evaluated for a third and potentially final time Friday morning.

Golden State is 9-1 in his absence. Shaun Livingston, Quinn Cook and McCaw have shared time starting at point guard.

The offense hasn't been as robust during that stretch, but defense has been Golden State's calling card. Kerr thinks that can continue upon Curry's arrival.

"It will be a little different," Kerr said. "Steph is a very good defender. I think what's been different is that we've been able to consistently put a whole bunch of 6-7 guys out there. So when we do switch, there's not a height disadvantage. But we've missed Steph's ability to play the passing lanes, put pressure on the ball, cause some havoc with his speed and quickness.

"It will be a little different, but I think the attention to detail defensively has been good in part because we knew without Steph, we weren't going to have that [offensive] explosiveness game in and game out."