NBA: Stephen Curry, Warriors out to rebound vs. slumping Blazers

Stephen Curry’s return from a five-game absence due to a left quadriceps injury was impressive, but it did not solve the Golden State Warriors’ ongoing struggles.

The Warriors continue to alternate strong efforts with inconsistent performances and have lost seven of their last 11 games heading into Sunday night’s matchup against the host Portland Trail Blazers.

Curry scored 39 points in 32 minutes in his first game since Nov. 26, knocking down six 3-pointers while adding five rebounds and five assists in a 127-120 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

“He looked great,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Just the movement, the flow. I asked him how he was feeling after the first eight-minute run in the first quarter, and he said, ‘I feel great.’”

Curry was especially effective down the stretch, scoring 14 points in the fourth quarter.

“I started to feel normal again,” Curry said. “So individually, it was a good first game back just to get my lungs back and feel like myself.”

Despite Curry’s strong performance, Golden State was outscored 39-29 in the final quarter as Minnesota rallied for the win. The Timberwolves completed the comeback without star guard Anthony Edwards, who missed the game.

The Warriors were also shorthanded, playing without Draymond Green (personal reasons) and Al Horford (sciatica), which contributed to defensive issues in the paint.

“Draymond and Al understand how to make their impact, make their presence felt,” Curry said. “But we didn’t have them. We had to figure out a way to get it done. We just didn’t.”

Golden State will try to bounce back against Portland, though the matchup presents its own challenges. After winning nine straight games against the Trail Blazers, the Warriors have lost both meetings this season. Golden State was routed 139-119 in Portland on Oct. 24, despite Curry scoring 35 points.

Portland, however, enters the game struggling as well, having lost three straight and six of its last seven games. The Trail Blazers closed a 1-4 road trip with a 119-96 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies and a 143-120 defeat against the New Orleans Pelicans. New Orleans had lost seven consecutive games before dominating Portland on Thursday.

The Trail Blazers were limited to just 10 available players in that contest. Big men Donovan Clingan (bruised left leg) and Robert Williams III (illness) joined guard Jrue Holiday (right calf strain) on the injury list. Holiday has missed the past 13 games, and Portland is 3-10 without him.

Several reserves were asked to take on larger roles. Sidy Cissoko scored a career-high 20 points in 32 minutes, Ryan Rupert added 14 points, and rookie Caleb Love chipped in nine while all playing more than 20 minutes off the bench.

“Everybody during the season gets an opportunity,” said backup center Duop Reath, who logged 12 minutes. “You’ve got to be ready to take advantage of that opportunity and be ready at that moment.”

Shaedon Sharpe led Portland with 21 points, hitting 4 of 6 shots from beyond the arc. Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant each scored 16 points but struggled from the field, shooting 5 of 15 and 6 of 19, respectively.

Love, meanwhile, missed all five of his 3-point attempts and is 0-for-11 from long range over the past three games. Still, interim coach Tiago Splitter expressed confidence in the rookie.

“Caleb is one of those guys that has extreme confidence,” Splitter said. “He thinks he’s always open, almost too much. He’s not afraid of any moment.”

Love’s best performance of the season came against Golden State on Nov. 21, when he scored 26 points, made six 3-pointers, and added seven rebounds and five assists in a 127-123 road victory over the Warriors. -Field Level Media/Reuters