Nets' Seth Curry close to return from ankle injury
Seth Curry #30 of the Brooklyn Nets fields questions from reporters during Nets Media Day at the Brooklyn Nets HSS Training Center on Monday, Sept. 26, 2022. Credit: James Escher
Seth Curry’s ankle is getting stronger every day, but he said Sunday he has still been limited to doing individual work in practice and isn’t sure when he will return.
“I’m getting closer every day,” Curry said. “Going a little bit more every day. Just trying to be smart about it and pass all the tests I need to go and stay mentally engaged and get ready for the season.”
Nets coach Steve Nash had said earlier in the week that he though Curry would be able to play by the preseason finale, which is Oct. 14 in Minnesota. On Sunday, Nash said that the timing for Curry’s return is “to be determined.”
“That would be ideal. Can’t guarantee it, you know” Nash said about a preseason return for Curry. Whenever he's ready, he'll be ready. To be determined. We’ve got to monitor his progress every day and see how it progresses.”
Curry, who came to the Nets in February as part of the Ben Simmons trade, was one of the top three-point shooters in the league last season. In the regular season, he made 42.2% of his shots from beyond the arc, ranking sixth overall in the NBA. In the Nets four playoff games, he shot 52.2%.
Curry had been playing with soreness in his left ankle since January, weeks before he was traded to Brooklyn on Feb. 10. He missed a handful of games with the Nets and underwent ankle surgery after the team was swept in the first round.
When Curry returns, it appears that he will be competing with Joe Harris and possibly Royce O’Neale for the final starting spot.
Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons are all expected to start and it appears that Nic Claxton will replace Drummond at center. That leaves three guys who have all seen significant starting time over the past few years, competing for one spot.
“It just shows that we have the luxury of depth,” Nash said. “We have the luxury of options. If we have injury runs, we have options. So it’s really a positive for us to have that depth and shooting experience.”
Notes & quotes: Nets fans should get to see Simmons on the floor for the first time Monday night when the team hosts the 76ers, Simmons’ former team, in their preseason opener . . . Durant, provided he is healthy, plans to play in all four preseason games.
Barbara Barker is an award-winning columnist and features writer in the sports department at Newsday. She has covered sports in New York for more than 20 years.
