Houston

Kerr ‘Didn't Feel Comfortable' Playing Curry in Game 3

HOUSTON -– Stephen Curry’s tender right ankle will force him to miss his second consecutive playoff game, as the Warriors point guard was declared out of Game 3 against the Rockets on Thursday.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr made the official announcement during his pregame news conference Thursday evening at Toyota Center.

“Steph will not play tonight,” Kerr said.

“We talked to him after shootaround today,” Kerr added. “He felt pretty good. He moved well. He wanted to play. But, ultimately, we didn’t feel comfortable, after four straight days of inactivity, throwing him into the middle of a playoff game not knowing how the ankle would respond.”

Though Curry by all accounts continues to progress after turning his right ankle in Game 1 last Saturday, he has not reached a point where he could satisfactorily complete moves typically used over the course of a game.

Curry participated in the team’s shootaround Thursday morning but did not address reporters afterward. Kerr at that time said a decision was forthcoming before tipoff at 6:30 p.m. (PDT).

The decision was reached after an afternoon meeting among general manager Bob Myers, Kerr, Curry, the medical staff, performance staff and trainer.

“We kind of teamed up on him,” Kerr said. “He wanted to play.”

Kerr injured his ankle on a non-contact sequence in the second quarter of Game 1 and left shortly thereafter. He attempted to return after halftime, but played only three minutes before Kerr subbed him for good. He scored 24 points in 20 minutes.

Shaun Livingston, who started Game 2, will make his second consecutive start in place of Curry.

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