Steph Curry is inching closer to his return after dealing with a runner’s knee injury since Jan. 31. Curry has dealt with multiple setbacks amid his road to recovery. The story could be slightly different ahead of his latest attempt to make a major push. On Tuesday, the Warriors announced that Curry was going to scrimmage five-on-five.
The two-time MVP sounded confident at first after escaping the scrimmage without any issues. However, he remained sceptical about how his knee would respond to the ramped-up effort after the scrimmage. Here’s what Curry said (via ESPN’s Anthony Slater):
“It felt great. I’m checking the boxes. But with this, it’s always unpredictable because I don’t know how the knee will respond because it hasn’t responded well in the past attempts to get to this five-on-five level. I’m right where I need to be for right now and I’m hoping that it continues until the weekend.”
Steph Curry is confirmed out for the next two games against the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday and the Houston Rockets on Thursday. Sunday’s rematch against the Rockets could be a realistic return date for the superstar guard. However, that would depend on how his body responds to increased workouts during this span.
Curry will miss at least 27 games, provided he returns on Sunday. In 25 games since, the Warriors have won just nine games. They have locked in a play-in tournament berth and would need to win consecutive knockout games to advance to the playoffs, as they are likely to finish in ninth or 10th.
Warriors won’t stop Steph Curry from returning
The Golden State Warriors have a chance to tank and finish in the lottery. They control their 2026 pick and can draft a player whom they can rely heavily on next year to contribute. One way to hint that they’re heading in that direction is by shutting Steph Curry down for the rest of the season.
However, that won’t happen. According to Warriors beat reporter Nick Friedell, the organization won’t hold back Curry against his wishes. If the two-time MVP wants to play and compete, Curry will have his shot.
“The [Warriors] organization as a whole feels like Steph has earned the right to do whatever he’d like to do … I don’t think there is a single person from Lacob on down that’s going to stand in his way,” Friedell said on the Williard and Dubs Show.
Despite Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody’s season-ending injuries, the Warriors have a respectable roster. Kristaps Porzingis is finding his feet, while De’Anthony Melton, Gui Santos and Brandin Podziemski are stepping it up. It won’t be the best, but Steph Curry will have decent support around him when and if he returns.
