Warriors expect Curry's return for playoffs

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is confident to recover from a left corner for the start of the NBA playoffs.

Curry, a two-time MVP in the league, wore a white protective boot on his foot on Sunday when talking to reporters for the first time since leaving the Golden State game Wednesday night after a clash with Boston's Marcus Smart.

With 12 games to play in the regular season, Curry was asked if he felt he could be on the court for the Warriors' first playoff game.

“Yes, we have enough time for it... and I am optimistic,” he said prior to the Golden State duel against San Antonio.

Curry and Smart fought for a ball when the second was thrown by him and collided with Curry's leg. The play provoked shouts from Warriors coach Steve Kerr to Smart from the bench as Curry headed for the locker room.

“He didn't try to hurt me,” Curry said. “Play a certain way. I don't think many players have tried what he did, but I don't think it was dirty or malicious.”

Curry was walking strangely with his boot on Sunday. He indicated that he was doing his best in the gym to keep fit. By next week he hopes to be back on the court in order to have activity, but added that he must be cautious.

“From what I've been told, just in terms of ligaments around the injury and the bone underneath, it's not convenient to rush the initial phase of recovery, because that's when you get the most progress,” Curry said. “Then, when you put your shoes on and you're back on the court and you're doing repetitions, you're not dealing with ailments or anything strange.”

The Warriors march third in the Western Conference.