The Golden State Warriors have cratered offensively without Steph Curry. Curry is still the best offensive player that the team has, even at the age of 38. He has been injured for the last few weeks, missing time with Right Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome.
Curry’s knee issues have coincided with Golden State’s slide down the Western Conference standings. They have essentially locked up the 10th spot, meaning they will have to win two play-in games in order to make the playoffs. That makes it highly unlikely they will make a deep run.
Despite their spot in the standings, Curry has been fighting to return. He has now set a target return date.
Warriors Guard Steph Curry Sets Target Date for Sunday
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Curry has set his target return for Sunday against the Rockets. Curry has missed the last 25 games with his knee problems. This is just a goal, so this is not set in stone. Charania mentions that the next few days are critical for him to make it back in time for that Sunday timeline.
Since the All-Star break, the Warriors have the 11th-worst offense in the league. All of those games have been without Curry, as well as Jimmy Butler. Without either of their top two players, it has become very hard for Golden State to score the ball.
Butler will not be coming back this season, but Curry is still the player who pulls all of the defenders around him. His outside shooting is still one of the most terrifying weapons in the NBA, even though he doesn’t move quite as fast as he once did.
Curry knows that he doesn’t have many years left, so he wants to return to try and make an improbable playoff run. That run would likely include having to beat the Thunder as the number-one seed in the West in the first round.
Golden State Could Make a Big Offseason Splash
Once the season ends, the Warriors will be forced to make some big decisions. In order to try to make one final run with Curry on the roster, they will likely try to make a big trade. Giannis Antetokounmpo has been floated out as a potential trade target.
LeBron James could also try to sign with the team in the offseason now that his contract is up. That would team up the aging superstars for one final run, although that would be very hard for them to play well enough to win it all. Golden State has the assets to make a big trade, as well.
Curry hopes to return on Sunday so he can get his legs back underneath him before the play-in starts. He knows that he will have to turn back the clock in order for his team to advance in the postseason. If he’s not elite, then the Warriors will be eliminated easily.
Curry has to make sure that his knee feels great before he is fully cleared to return. His return against Houston is no guarantee.
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