(Reuters) Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is listed as probable for Tuesday’s Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinal series with the New Orleans Pelicans, coach Steve Kerr announced yesterday.
The two-time NBA MVP hasn’t played since spraining the medial collateral ligament in his left knee on March 23. The Warriors rolled to a 123-101 victory in Saturday’s Game 1 without Curry.
Curry participated in a lengthy scrimmage on Sunday and had no issues during Monday’s practice. He will not be on a minutes restriction if he plays.
“He came out well and he is feeling good today,” Kerr told reporters. “He went through the whole practice. I’d be very surprised if he didn’t play.”
—Boston Celtics shooting guard Jaylen Brown was ruled out for Game 1 of the team’s second-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers due to a strained right hamstring.
The announcement came about 40 minutes before the start of the game. Brown was considered “very doubtful” to play, coach Brad Stevens had said. Stevens added that Brown had tried to lobby the team to play. Marcus Smart started in Brown’s place.
Brown was injured on Saturday when the Celtics defeated the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their Eastern Conference first-round series. The 21-year-old is expected back later in the series against Philadelphia.
—Dallas Mavericks shooting guard Wesley Matthews has exercised his $18.6 million player option for the 2018-19 season, according to a Yahoo Sports report.
Matthews, 31, signed a four-year, $70 million contract in 2015. He averaged 12.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 33.8 minutes in 63 games for the 24-58 Mavericks this season, and told the Dallas Morning News last week that, “I don’t plan on being anywhere else.”
Matthews has played nine NBA seasons for the Mavs, Portland and Utah.
—Miami Heat guard Tyler Johnson underwent surgery to repair his left thumb, the team announced.
Johnson tore the ulnar collateral ligament in the thumb during Game 3 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Philadelphia 76ers.
The Heat said he will be in a cast for six weeks. Johnson, 25, is expected to be fully recovered prior to training camp.