Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry speaks with head coach Steve Kerr and staff ahead of their game against the Charlotte Hornets on Feb. 20, 2021.
Jared C. Tilton / Getty ImagesSaturday night’s Golden State Warriors-Charlotte Hornets match would be Steph Curry’s annual homecoming game since growing up in Charlotte. But just before it started, Curry was in deep conversation with the Warriors staff and Charlotte’s team doctor, and he was considered a late scratch due to “ illness. ”
No one wanted to say it out loud, but the concern was of course COVID-19. On a few other occasions this season, players have been ripped off by the NBA just before and even during games due to positive coronavirus tests or close contact with someone who tested positive. The color commentator from Hornets Dell Curry – Steph’s dad – also sounded a bit nervous when their broadcast began about the status of his child.
In this case, the Dubs’ line – from Sunday morning at least – Curry really just isn’t tasty, and these weren’t health and safety protocol decisions. After the Warriors blew the game in the closing seconds, thanks largely to an ejection from Draymond Green, coach Steve Kerr explained what had happened to his star player.
“Going through his usual warm-up routine, he just didn’t feel well at all,” Kerr told reporters. “And so he came back, saw the Charlotte team doctor, went out, tried to warm up and just wasn’t feeling well. We made the decision, the training staff and Steph and I, we all made the decision to not to play him … There were none [COVID-19] protocols present. Only he feels sick. “
Kerr added that he is hopeful that Curry will play in their next game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.