Dub Hub: Steph Curry trending towards return on Friday against Pelicans

Rounding up all Warriors and NBA related news for Thursday, March 27th.

In today’s Dub Hub:

• Steph Curry is trending towards making his return from a pelvic contusion injury on Friday against the Pelicans.
• Jimmy Butler says he’s grateful for his time in Miami after the team’s 112-86 loss against the Heat on Tuesday.
• Clippers move up to 6th in the West after beating the Knicks on Wednesday, 126-113.

One thing has been abundantly clear during the Golden State Warriors’ recent two-game skid: they need Stephen Curry. Without their two-time MVP, the offense has looked disjointed, and that lack of rhythm has seeped into the team’s defensive effort—evident in back-to-back losses against sub-.500 teams to start their six-game road trip. Following Golden State’s most recent 112-86 blowout loss to the Miami Heat on Tuesday, even Jimmy Butler acknowledged how badly the Warriors need Curry back.

Curry has been sidelined for nearly a week after suffering a pelvic contusion in a hard fall against the Toronto Raptors last Saturday. Fortunately for Golden State, head coach Steve Kerr provided an encouraging update, stating that Curry is trending toward a return on Friday despite being listed as questionable.

With an extra day of rest built into the schedule, Kerr explained that the team opted to play it safe by holding Curry out against the Heat. However, with the Western Conference standings tightening and just 10 games left in the regular season, the Warriors have no time to waste, especially after the Los Angeles Clippers’ win on Wednesday dropped them to seventh in the West.

Golden State’s margin for error is razor-thin if they want to avoid the Play-In Tournament, and their best shot at getting back on track starts with Curry’s return to the floor—the sooner, the better.

For more on this and other news around the NBA, here is our latest news round-up for Thursday, March 27th:

Warriors News:

Warriors’ simplest solution to avoid spiraling at worst time | NBC Sports Bay Area

Over and over again, the Warriors have emphasized how every team gives them their best effort. These are still the Beatles. Fans still flock in droves, and teams still froth at taking down the Warriors with the national spotlight on them. Yet the light switch still feels stuck at tipoff.

The Hawks and Heat, two teams with losing records to start this ever-important road trip, combined to shoot 56.4 percent from the field (92 of 163) and 52.5 percent from three (32 of 61). Role players like Alec Burks (17 points) and Georges Niang (23 points) went off against the Warriors, especially from behind the 3-point line. Miami made 17 of its 25 3-point attempts for a 68-percent clip, the highest the Warriors have allowed in a game since 2018.

Jimmy Butler shares his thoughts following his return to Miami: “I’m very grateful”

NBA Awards Watch: Draymond Green takes Defensive Player of the Year lead, but should he? | The Athletic

It feels like the recent ascension of the Warriors since the Jimmy Butler trade has helped Green climb up the charts. He wasn’t really polling in the betting odds that way a month ago, or even a couple weeks ago. This is a new development.

That could be reading the tea leaves, or it could be public money moving the betting lines on Green because people are noticing team success. I’m not sure because I’m not that deep into the sports betting world, but it’s interesting. Green is a reasonable candidate for the honor and one of the best defensive players every season. He hasn’t really been injured or suspended much. The Warriors are good, the defense is very good, and Green’s individual defense is still elite. It all adds up to a solid case for his second DPOY trophy.

Andrew Wiggins on leaving Warriors, adjusting to Heat: ‘It was a new chapter in life’ | The Athletic

Moreover, Wiggins looks back fondly on his time with the Warriors. Just as Kerr lauded Wiggins for being a great person, the latter couldn’t pinpoint which teammate or Golden State personnel he missed most because, well, he just operates that way. He simply didn’t want to risk mistakenly omitting anyone, so it was easier to make the returned sentiments as widespread as possible.

“I had a great time there,” Wiggins said on Tuesday. “I love everyone over there — the coaching staff, my teammates when I was there, the fans, the city, everything. I had a lot of good moments there. … It was a great time. That title run is a moment I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Players show love to former Warrior Andrew Wiggins after Tuesday’s game vs. the Heat

NBA News:

Damian Lillard diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in right calf | NBA

Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot inside a blood vessel.

“Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority,” Bucks general manager Jon Horst said in a statement. “We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”

The Bucks said Lillard’s medication has stabilized the thrombosis and that he will continue with regular testing.

Sources: NBA salary cap to increase by 10% in 2025-26 | ESPN

In a memo sent to teams, the league said the salary cap is projected to be $154.6 million and the luxury tax is projected to be $187.9 million.

In addition, the first apron projects to be $195.9 million and the second apron $207.8 million — higher by $17.8 from this season. Teams were also informed that those below the luxury tax projects to receive a $11.5 million distribution from the ten tax-paying teams.

Clippers move to 6th in the West after Wednesday’s win vs. Knicks

In case you missed it at Golden State of Mind:

Player grades: Warriors vs. Heat

Gui Santos

20 minutes, 13 points, 3 rebounds, 2 fouls, 5-for-8 shooting, 3-for-6 threes, 81.3% TS, -2

Hey, there’s a player who had a good game! Haven’t seen many around these parts today. Santos shot 3-for-6 from distance, while the rest of the Warriors shot 6-for-32. He had energy and some defense and, more than anything else, actually made shots.

Grade: A+ just because everyone else was so tragically useless

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