Stephen Curry (shin) puts up 30 in win after missing shootaround

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry played in Monday night's 111-101 win over the Charlotte Hornets after aggravating a shin injury in Saturday's game against the Denver Nuggets.

Curry had 30 points on 12-of-21 shooting and was 5-for-10 on 3s in the victory. He drained a 3-pointer in the opening minute on his first shot.

"I didn't even think Steph was going to play tonight, to be honest," interim Warriors coach Luke Walton said. "He said he felt good out there, and they cleared him. If Steph Curry is going to play, I'm never surprised he's going to score 30 points."

Curry had to leave in the second quarter against the Nuggets because of the left shin contusion that had sidelined him for the two previous games. Curry did not practice with the team during Monday's shootaround. He also did not go through his usual morning shooting routine.

"He didn't do his [pregame] shootaround," Walton said. "He wasn't involved in what we were doing for the shootaround. He was just watching to see the game plan."

Prior to Monday's game, Walton had said it was possible that Curry might miss the next two games.

"It's definitely a possibility he sits out these two games, but that's strictly going to go according to how his leg feels when he tests it," Walton said.

Within an hour, though, the team announced Curry would play against Charlotte.

Curry was joined by teammate Harrison Barnes, who played for the first time since he sprained his ankle Nov. 27 against the Phoenix Suns. Barnes had eight points, two assists, one rebound and one block in 20 minutes off the bench.

The aggravation of Curry's shin contusion occurred when Nuggets guard Jameer Nelson made contact with Curry's leg.

"I got kicked," Curry said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.