OAKLAND – There is no team in the league Stephen Curry enjoys facing more than the Charlotte Hornets, and the Warriors hope the All-Star point guard gets the chance Monday night at Oracle Arena.
Curry’s status was in question after he aggravated a shin injury Saturday night, and the Warriors could get a boost from the return of starting forward Harrison Barnes, who has missed 16 games with an ankle sprain. Barnes expects to play.
The Warriors (31-2) will be trying to run their home record this season to 17-0 while extending their overall streak at Oracle to 34.
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The Hornets, the team for which Curry grew up rooting for in his hometown – and the team that employs his father, Dell, as a member of the telecast crew – have cooled of late, following a period in which they won nine of 11 by losing eight of their last 11.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry/Shaun Livingston/Ian Clark vs. Kemba Walker -- Charlotte’s leading scorer and most explosive player, Walker usually is the key to his team’s fortunes. He and Curry have had some terrific battles over the years. Walker isn’t much of a defender, but the Warriors will try to make him work on that end.
LAST 10
Golden State Warriors
Warriors: 8-2
Hornets: 3-7.
ROSTER NOTE
Rookie F Kevon Looney, cleared to practice after hip surgery rehab, will join the D-League Santa Cruz Warriors and participate in their practices this week in hopes of playing in games later this month.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Leandro Barbosa (L shoulder sprain), F Kevon Looney (R hip surgery) and F James Michael McAdoo (L toe sprain) are listed as out.
Hornets: F/C Spencer Hawes (low back tightness) and G Jeremy Lin (R ankle sprain) are listed as probable. F Nicolas Batum (R toe sprain), C Al Jefferson (R knee surgery) and F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (R shoulder surgery) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won the last three meetings, including a 116-99 victory on Dec. 2 at Time Warner Cable Arena.