The ride figures to end for Monta Ellis soon, who has been playing heavy minutes due to injuries to Jason Richardson and Calbert Cheaney.

When Richardson returns from a sore back and Cheaney returns from a strained left thigh, which could happen tonight at Seattle, Ellis will slide down the depth chart.

Though the Warriors could use the energy and athleticism Ellis brings, especially on defense, Montgomery said it would be hard to find him more than spot minutes when everyone's healthy. But the message did get across: Ellis isn't scared.

``He knows he came in and did his job, showed what he can do, so now the coaching staff has an abundance of confidence in him,'' assistant coach Keith Smart said. ``He'll be OK.''

Via Mercury News

Golden State Warriors

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