Curry ‘ready to go’ for Game 5 after frightening fall

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State star Stephen Curry said he had no lingering effects from his frightening fall before Game 5 of the Western Conference finals Wednesday night.

Curry took part in the Warriors’ morning shootaround before their game against the Houston Rockets with a protective sleeve on his bruised right arm. He said his head felt fine and that effects of the fall are no different than taking a hard screen or a charge.

“I feel real coherent and ready to go,” Curry said. “Excited for the opportunity we have tonight to finish this out. I’ll be ready to go and play my usual minutes and do what I need to do to help my team win. I expect to be impactful tonight.”

Curry kept the yellow sleeve on to start the game to protect his right arm, which absorbed much of the force of his fall Monday night.

“I was calling him Allen Iverson at shootaround,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He looked fine. No repercussions or anything. He said his shoulder was a little sore from the gall, but nothing that’s affecting him.”

Curry started the game in the sleeve but took it off after shooting 4 for 12 in the first half.

The Warriors lead the Rockets 3-1 in the best-of-seven series and can earn their first berth in the NBA Finals in 40 years with a win at home Wednesday night. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are waiting after sweeping the Eastern Conference finals against Atlanta on Tuesday night.

The MVP got hurt in the second quarter of Game 4 when he jumped as Trevor Ariza was about to go up for a shot. Ariza saw him and stopped abruptly, causing the spill. Curry’s head and right arm hit the court, where he remained for several minutes.

“I’ve seen it plenty of times now,” Curry said. “I just real thankful that I came out of it as well as I did.”

He returned in the second half after passing the concussion protocol. He was diagnosed with a head contusion and also bruised his right arm.

Curry finished the game with 23 points and played well in his return after shooting an air ball on his first shot and having his second shot blocked by Terrence Jones.

Curry practiced with the sleeve on his arm but was not sure whether he would keep it there for the game.

“I shot pretty well with it just now so hopefully that will continue tonight,” he said. “I don’t wear them ever so it takes a little bit getting used to.”

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