OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Golden State’s Monta Ellis is scheduled to return to the Warriors’ starting lineup Thursday following a six-game absence due to a strained lower back.
Ellis, the sixth-leading scorer in the NBA, had not played since scoring 22 points in a 127-112 loss to Denver on Feb. 25. He took part in a full practice Wednesday for the first time in nearly two weeks and was cleared to play prior to Golden State’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers after showing showed no signs of pain as he took part in the pregame shootaround.
That was welcomed news for Warriors coach Don Nelson, who has had to work with an injury-ravaged roster most of the season. Golden State was 1-5 in the six games without Ellis.
