NBA: Warriors' Stephen Curry ruled out of game three

Stephen Curry has been ruled out for game three of the Golden State Warriors' playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers.

The NBA MVP's status for the latest match of the series – which the Warriors lead 2-0 - has gone from doubtful to out after comments from head coach Steve Kerr.

The 28-year-old returned from an injured ankle only to sprain his right knee on April 24 in game four of the Warriors' first-round series against the Houston Rockets and has not played since.

Curry was hopeful of facing the Trail Blazers on Saturday but a rushed return never looked likely and Kerr has now confirmed his absence for the match.

Kerr told The Dan Patrick Show: “If he's ready to play, he can play – that is based on what the trainers tell me and what we see with our own eyes in practice, and he hasn't practiced with us yet.

"So, game three on Saturday he is not going to play. He's getting better every day, but until he's out on the floor with our team and scrimmaging and we’re seeing him move, and the trainers say it’s a go, we’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.

"No way Saturday and I would say maybe a slight chance on Monday [for game four] if he gets great work in over the next few days.”

The Warriors have been just fine without Curry in the playoffs to date, so there is not a huge rush to get him back on the floor and risk his health for when they are likely to really need him.

If they seal a series victory over the Trail Blazers, the Warriors will move into the Western Conference finals against either the San Antonio Spurs or the Oklahoma City Thunder.