OAKLAND -- As the hours tick down to Game 1 of their first-round playoff series against Portland, the Warriors still don’t know if Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic will take the court Sunday afternoon at Oracle Arena.
Though Trail Blazers coach Terry Stotts said Nurkic did not actively participate in practice, the team officially lists the 7-footer as questionable.
Even if the Blazers have a plan for Nurkic, they aren’t saying.
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“I would do the same thing, by the way,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said after practice Saturday.
Nurkic’s status is significant because the Blazers are a much different team with him on the court. He’s their only legitimate low-post threat, as well as an imposing presence on the defensive end.
Portland’s expressions or uncertainty means additional prep work for the Warriors.
“We prepare for both (scenarios),” Kerr said. “We go through a lot of their actions and personnel tapes and tendencies. So we’re preparing for all the stuff we know their going to run, that we’ve faced for the last couple years.
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“And then we look at tape of Nurkic as well and see the difference between how they play when he’s out there.”
As for the Warriors, forwards Matt Barnes (foot/ankle sprain) and Kevon Looney (hip strain) are listed as out. Barnes, Kerr indicated, could be ready for Game 2 on Wednesday.