Warriors’ Kerr gives update on Kristaps Porzingis health, Melton’s minutes

NEW ORLEANS – Warriors coach Steve Kerr is cautiously optimistic about under-the-weather big man Kristaps Porzingis.

The Warriors’ center did not travel with the team for its quick two-game road trip to New Orleans and Memphis. Porzingis — who the Warriors traded Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield for — had also missed Sunday’s win over the Nuggets with a sudden illness. 

“He’s just been really sick, but making some improvements, so we’ll see how he is,” Kerr said during his pregame media availability at Smoothie King Center before Tuesday night’s game against the Pelicans. “It’s just an illness.”

Kerr said he hopes Porzingis can play on Saturday, when the team returns to the Bay Area and takes on the Lakers. However, he emphasized nothing is certain.

What was certain was that Draymond Green would return to the starting lineup against the Pelicans. Though Green sat out Sunday’s win with lower back soreness, Kerr said that the forward would not be on a minutes restriction on Tuesday.

Though De’Anthony Melton was also set to play after being questionable, he remained on a minutes restriction as the team eases him back to starter-caliber playing time while he recovers from an ACL tear.

That limit could be coming to an end soon, though.

“I guess he’s closer, because we’re getting deeper into the season, and he’s feeling pretty well,” Kerr said. “It’s something that Rick (Celebrini) and I will discuss at the end of this week.”

Kerr noted that the team will have several back-to-backs in March, three to be exact, and Al Horford and Porzingis already do not play back-to-backs. 

Horford was ruled out of Tuesday’s game, which put him in line to participate against Memphis on Wednesday. 

One player’s absence was felt even before the game began.

Steph Curry, who is out till at least March with runner’s knee, did not travel with the Warriors during the road trip.

Already known for having sparse crowds, a little over 100 paying customers milled around Smoothie King Center during the Warriors’ warmups. 

Curry’s pregame shooting routine is usually enjoyed by thousands who pack the lower bowl to watch him go through his drills. The cheapest seat could be gotten for just $24 on popular ticket app Ticketmaster only an hour before the game.