Golden State Warriors star guard Stephen Curry didn’t practice Sunday and is questionable for Game 2 after he rolled his right ankle in Saturday’s Western Conference first-round series opener against the Houston Rockets.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr said Curry was “doing a little better” on Sunday and will be monitored leading up to Monday’s contest.
Shaun Livingston would start in Curry’s place if the reigning MVP is unable to play.
Curry had a game-high 24 points on Saturday, including 16 in the first quarter, before twisting his right ankle in the second quarter.
Curry, who has a history of ankle problems, tweaked the right ankle after missing a shot with 2:12 remaining in the second quarter as he turned to get back on defense.
Curry went to the locker room to get the ankle taped just before halftime and returned to play the first 2:47 of the third quarter before Kerr abruptly called a timeout and took Curry out of the game.
Despite the soreness, Curry expects to play in Game 2 on Monday.
“Right now, don’t see a scenario where I’ll be out,” Curry said after Saturday’s game.
Golden State had built a commanding 65-39 lead when Curry was taken out in the third quarter.
Curry has averaged 30.1 points, 6.7 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game this season while hitting an NBA-record 402 3-pointers.
Atkinson named Hawks coach
The Brooklyn Nets named Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson as the team’s new head coach on Sunday.
Atkinson, 48, will become the 21st head coach in the franchise’s NBA history.
“We believe that Kenny’s core principles, leadership, communication skills and exceptional background in player development make him an ideal fit for the culture we are building in Brooklyn,” Nets general manager Sean Marks said in a statement.
Atkinson currently serves as an assistant coach for the Hawks and will continue in this capacity until the conclusion of Atlanta’s postseason.
With respect to the Hawks and their playoff schedule, a press conference to formally introduce Atkinson will be held at a later date, the Nets announced.
Atkinson has spent the past four seasons as an assistant coach with the Hawks under head coach Mike Budenholzer. The Hawks made playoff appearances in each of Atkinson’s four seasons, including the team’s first-ever trip to the Eastern Conference finals last season. The 2014-15 Hawks registered a franchise-record 60 wins, including a franchise-best 19-game win streak, and captured their first division title in more than 20 years.