© Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
OAKLAND —The Warriors are slowly easing their four injured All-Stars back into the fold.
At Wednesday’s practice, head coach Steve Kerr said both Stephen Curry (ankle) and Kevin Durant (ribs) participated in non-contact drills. Curry made cuts and looked sharp in shooting drills toward the end of practice.
Kerr said he doesn’t expect Durant to play this week. Curry, who injured his ankle on March 8 and hasn’t played since, has the best chance to return for Friday’s game against the visiting Atlanta Hawks.
“Steph looks great,” Kerr said. “He is chomping at the bit. We will see how he responds the next couple days before we decide whether he plays or not.”
Klay Thompson (fractured right thumb) participated in select drills on Wednesday. Draymond Green was held out of practice as he rests a pelvic contusion injury he suffered in Monday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.
Kerr said all of the four All-Stars are on a day-to-day schedule.
“It’s just sort of a feel thing,” Kerr said.
Omri Casspi was also limited in Wednesday’s practice. Casspi is recovering from a high ankle sprain he suffered last Friday.
The veteran forward said he gets nervous whenever he injures his right ankle because he fractured it when he was young.
“I was scared something happened with a fracture,” Casspi said. “It feels much better. There’s still a ways to go; it’s still sore. (I went) through practice (and) can’t really push it, but it feels better than I thought.”
With 11 remaining games on the regular season schedule, the Warriors hold a nine-game lead over the Portland Trail Blazers for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. Golden State trails the Houston Rockets by four games.
The Warriors expect to return all of their currently injured players before the postseason begins.