Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry unlikely to play in Game 3

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr backpedaled on the status of star guard Stephen Curry for Saturday's Game 3 against the Portland Trail Blazers by saying Curry was "unlikely to suit up" hours after declaring the reigning MVP had been ruled out of the contest.

Curry has missed Golden State's last three playoff games because of a sprained right knee.

Kerr told "The Dan Patrick Show" on Friday morning that Curry wouldn't play in Game 3. He told reporters later in the day after the Warriors' practice that he should have said "probably" out.

Curry continues to make progress in his rehab and looked sharp during Friday's practice. He wore a brace to protect the knee.

"Today was by far the best he looked," Kerr said after practice. "He's made progress each day. He took part on the court in a practice today. We didn't scrimmage but we did a lot of defensive work, five-on-oh, full-court shooting stuff. He took part in all of it and he looked much, much better than he did even two days ago.

"It's a great sign, but we still want to see him in a 3-on-3, a 5-on-5. I don't think that will happen by tomorrow at 5:30 Portland time. ... I don't see him playing tomorrow."

The improvement should give Curry a solid chance at returning for Monday's 4 of the Western Conference semifinal series.

Curry hurt his knee while slipping to the floor during Game 4 of the Warriors' first-round playoff series with the Houston Rockets. Golden State eliminated Houston in Game 5.

The Warriors won the first two games of the series at home against the Trail Blazers. Portland will host Game 3 on Saturday night.

Curry also missed the second and third games of the Houston series due to a sore right ankle.

"He's getting better every day," Kerr said. "But until he's out on the floor with our team and he's scrimmaging and we're seeing him move and our trainers say it's a go, we'll just keep doing what we're doing."