With Curry out vs Magic, Warriors have ‘incredible luxury' in this situation

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OAKLAND -- Expected all along, the Warriors have officially ruled out Stephen Curry for Monday night’s game against the Orlando Magic at Oracle Arena.

“It’s a no-brainer,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of the decision to sit Curry, who will be replaced at point guard by Shaun Livingston.

Curry sustained a contusion to his right thigh Saturday night in the first quarter of a 135-114 win over the 76ers. He walked with a pronounced limp afterward and did not participate in the team’s shootaround Monday morning.

The Warriors are taking the same approach to Curry as they did Nov. 6, when Kevin Durant incurred the same injury. Durant missed the next game, last Wednesday against the Timberwolves, and returned to practice on Friday and played Saturday against Philadelphia.

“It’s very similar to KD’s,” Kerr said. “If it were a playoff game, he’d play. But it’s pretty sore. It’s the same situation, where we’ve got two days to go before our next game so this gives us a chance to really get it healthy and right.”

In three-plus regular seasons (243 games) with the Warriors, Livingston has made eight starts. He started seven games in the 2016 playoffs, as Curry was out with two different injuries.

Livingston is averaging 4.5 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists over 16.5 minutes this season.

“It’s an incredible luxury to have Shaun Livingston coming off the bench,” Kerr said.

“He’s there whenever we need him. He doesn’t seem to mind if we don’t call his number and when we do, he’s ready.”

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