Steph Curry returns to Warriors lineup vs. Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — Steph Curry returned for what head coach Steve Kerr has called the biggest game of the Warriors’ season.

Curry, 37, missed the prior two games — losses in Atlanta and Miami — with a pelvic contusion. He suffered the injury last week against the Toronto Raptors.

The reason Golden State’s game was so significant is because the Warriors have strung together a few lackluster performances and have slipped from sixth to seventh place in the Western Conference. Because they’ve lost or underperformed against teams who have substantially less talent than them — even in games without Curry — they have no margin for error. in the home stretch of the season.

The Pelicans certainly qualify. New Orleans (20-53) was without Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Dejounte Murray, Trey Murphy and Herb Jones.

The Warriors have learned their lesson the hard way, this year and in seasons past: No matter who’s out there, you can’t overlook NBA players.

“You prepare your own team,” Kerr said pregame. “You don’t worry about the other team. Our guys know how often this happens, where guys are out on the other team and how well everyone else plays because they’re getting opportunities. We know that’s what’s coming tonight. They’ll play with great energy. All the guys who are getting minutes are going to be excited about that. It’s on us to bring our own energy and our own execution.”

Curry led the Warriors’ preferred starting lineup, with him running point next to Brandin Podziemski in the backcourt and a frontline of Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Draymond Green. The depleted Pelicans started Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins, Bruce Brown, Kelly Olynyk and Yves Missi.

Curry is averaging 24.2 points and six assists while leading the league in both 3-pointers made and attempted per game.

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Taylor Jenkins out in Memphis

The news that the Grizzlies fired head coach Taylor Jenkins sent shockwaves through the Warriors’ morning shootaround at Smoothie King Center.

Jenkins, one of the longest tenured coaches in the Association and a person who has had infamous moments in the Warriors-Grizzlies recent rivalry, was relieved of his duties with nine games remaining in the season. The Grizzlies rank fifth in the West and Jenkins is the winningest coach in franchise history. The move reportedly left players shocked.

Kerr, too.

“It’s shocking, really,” Kerr said. “Taylor’s a great coach, done an amazing job in Memphis. So, it came out of nowhere for us. We’re not involved, obviously. Just from afar, it’s shocking. Nine games left in the season. Yeah, it doesn’t add up if you’re on the outside looking in.”