Steph Curry was back on the floor in San Francisco on Sunday night, ending a two-plus-month absence because of a right knee injury and drawing a loud welcome at Chase Center. The Warriors planned to use Steph Curry for about 25 minutes against Houston, with his return handled in shorter bursts and his workload carefully watched in Eastern Time terms that mattered only for the game clock and the rest of the schedule. Steve Kerr said before tipoff that the team would manage Steph Curry’s minutes based on how he felt and on input from Vice President of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini.
Steph Curry back, but on a tight minutes plan
Steph Curry had been sidelined since Jan. 30 against Detroit, and his return came after several scrimmages this past week to test the injured right knee. Kerr said the expectation was that Steph Curry would not play on consecutive nights as Golden State moves through five games in eight days with a back-to-back still ahead. That plan makes the opening stretch of Steph Curry’s comeback less about volume and more about whether his body responds well after each game.
Before the game, Kerr made the team’s approach clear. “We’re going to manage it accordingly. The plan for tonight would be shorter bursts and we’ll see on the minutes, ” Kerr said. “But first game back he’s not playing 48 minutes. ”
Steph Curry and the Warriors face immediate pressure
The return matters because the Warriors had been far less effective without Steph Curry. Golden State entered the game at 36-41, had lost three straight, and was 13-25 this season without him, including a 9-18 stretch during his latest injury absence. Steph Curry also leads the Warriors in scoring at 27. 2 points per game, which explains why his presence changes both the attack and the mood around the team.
Houston coach Ime Udoka said the Rockets knew exactly what Steph Curry means to a game. “One of the best movers in the game. Four other guys at a time are concentrated on getting shots for him, ” Udoka said, adding that Houston needed to stay locked in on Curry’s screens, off-ball actions and pick-and-roll work.
Steph Curry’s recovery came with hard moments
After Saturday’s practice, Steph Curry said dealing with pain is part of his “new normal” and that the offseason will require a significant reset. He had initially expected to be back right after the All-Star break, but the recovery stretched out after moments when he would feel good, push hard, and then pay for it the following day. Steph Curry said Saturday that shutting it down for the rest of the season was never a consideration.
The situation leaves the Warriors balancing urgency with caution. Steph Curry is back, but his minutes, his next appearance and his response to the knee will shape the rest of the week. For Golden State, the first step is simply getting Steph Curry back on the court and seeing how far that return can carry them.
