Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry talks to Steve Kerr and head coach ahead of the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 20, 2021.
Jared C. Tilton / Getty ImagesSaturday night, the Golden State Warriors-Charlotte Hornets game had to be Steph Curry’s annual homecoming game since he grew up in Charlotte. But just before it started, Curry was in deep conversation with the Warriors staff as well as 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 selected by the NBA before and even during games because of positive coronavirus tests or close interaction with someone who has tested positive. Hornets’ color commentator Dell Curry – Steph’s father – also sounded a little nervous when their broadcast began about his child’s status.
In this case, however, the line of the Dubs – at least from Sunday morning – Curry is really just not good, and it was not a health and safety protocol. After the Warriors blew the game in the final seconds, thanks to an expulsion from Draymond Green, coach Steve Kerr explained what happened to his star player.
“Going through his usual warm-up routine, he just did not feel well at all,” Kerr told reporters. “And then he came in again, saw the Charlotte doctor, went out, tried to warm up and just did not feel well. We made the decision, the training staff and Steph and I, we all decided not to play. Him … There was no [COVID-19] protocols in place. Only he who feels sick. ‘
Kerr added that he is hopeful that Curry will play in their next game against the New York Knicks on Tuesday.