Dub Hub: Steph Curry returns to practice, set to play in season opener vs. Blazers

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Monday, October 21st.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry (sprained finger) returned to Warriors practice on Sunday and is expected to be ready for Wednesday’s season opener vs. the Blazers.
• Warriors and Moses Moody agree to a three-year, $39 million deal, per ESPN.
• New York Liberty win their first WNBA Championship in franchise history.

The Golden State Warriors dominated the Los Angeles Lakers in their final preseason game last Friday, winning by a score of 132-74. Head coach Steve Kerr initially intended for this game to be a dress rehearsal for the regular season, but his superstar point guard Stephen Curry was notably absent, sidelined by a sprained finger.

Fortunately for the Warriors, the injury doesn’t seem too serious as Curry returned to practice on Sunday and is expected to suit up for Wednesday’s season opener against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Kerr reportedly held an extended scrimmage to help Curry regain his rhythm, treating the session as the final day of training camp before the team gets set for the long regular season grind ahead.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Monday, October 21st:

Warriors News:

Steph returns to Warriors practice, expected to play in opener | NBC Sports Bay Area

Curry wore a protective wrap on his finger against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday before tearing it off midway through the game.

That caused some concern for Dub Nation, but all indications are that Curry is fine and will be on the court against the Trail Blazers for the season tip-off.

“I liked seeing Steph Curry scrimmage and being healthy,” Kerr said after practice at Chase Center on Sunday. “That was the main reason that we scrimmaged for as long as we did. So we got a good run, he got a good run.”

Kerr close to decision on Warriors’ rotation ahead of opener | NBC Sports Bay Area

“I have a sense of what I’m going to do but this is the most difficult decision-making I’ve ever had since I’ve been here in terms of who’s playing off the bench,” Kerr said Sunday. “Like I’ve been saying, I’m comfortable playing every single guy in the rotation, and I can’t do that. I’m excited but I’m also not going to feel great on Wednesday when I leave a couple guys out.”

Warriors waive Blake Hinson, Kevin Knox II, and Jackson Rowe ahead of the regular season opener

Warriors extend Moses Moody on 3-year, $39 million deal | ESPN

Moody has developed into a key, reliable rotation player for Steve Kerr during this year’s training camp and is expected to receive an enhanced role for the Warriors this upcoming campaign.

Last season, Moody averaged eight points in 17.5 minutes in 66 games played, setting career highs in scoring, playing time, rebounds, steals and blocks.

Lakers’ Quincy Olivari gets emotional after meeting Steph Curry at Friday’s preseason game

NBA News:

Power Rankings, Week 1: Celtics lead the way as 2024-25 begins | NBA

Something to watch in Week 1: Rebounding. Hartenstein’s absence puts the Thunder’s rebounding back in the spotlight. They were one of two teams to rank in the bottom five in both offensive and defensive rebounding percentage last season, and they weren’t much better on the glass in the preseason, especially when you subtract their game against the New Zealand Breakers.

The Thunder open the season in Denver, having gone 3-1 against the Nuggets last season. They got destroyed on the glass in their October loss, but outrebounded the Nuggets over their three wins.

Liberty survive OT classic vs. Lynx to win first WNBA title | ESPN

More than 27 years after playing for league’s inaugural championship and following several near misses, the New York Liberty became WNBA champions with a 67-62 overtime victory Sunday over the Minnesota Lynx.

Breanna Stewart sealed the win with two free throws with 10.1 seconds left in the extra period. After Leonie Fiebich stole a pass, the Liberty dribbled out the clock on a victory that was as hard-fought and dramatic as any in a Game 5 of the WNBA Finals.

The Liberty prevailed 3-2 in a series marked by huge shots and big momentum shifts in the first three games. Little separated the teams in Game 4, which the Lynx won on two free throws with two seconds left.

Celtics waive Lonnie Walker IV, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Warriors cap off perfect preseason with blowout of JV Lakers team

With the Lakers on the back end of a back-to-back (something that should be illegal in the preseason, if you ask me), they rested all five of their starters. Golden State’s starting five — the same quintet that they rolled out for Tuesday’s win over the Lakers, but with De’Anthony Melton replacing Curry — was opposed by a Lakers five-some composed of players just trying to make the rotation, or in some cases, the roster: Jalen Hood-Schifino, Quincy Olivari, Bronny James, Cam Reddish, and Jaxson Hayes.

The result was exactly what you would expect: a blowout.

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