The Golden State Warriors are set to have Stephen Curry back on Sunday night against the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. The two-time MVP has been sidelined for 27 games. Golden State has gone 9-18 in that stretch and the slide has been difficult to watch.
The play-in tournament is approaching fast. Five regular season games remain.
When asked why it was important for him to come back with the season hanging in the balance, Curry’s answer carried real emotion.
Curry on Why He Needed to Come Back
Curry kept it simple when explaining what is driving his return.
“I mean, love playing basketball. It’s what I get paid to do,” Curry said. “If I’m healthy to play and it’s safe to go out there and test it in live action, then all the work I’ve put in will hopefully pay off.”
Curry spent two months dealing with an injury that had no defined timeline. He targeted multiple return dates and experienced setbacks each time. The frustration of not knowing when the pain would subside made this absence unlike anything he had dealt with before.
Now that he is cleared, the desire to be out there is genuine. Curry spoke about the team still having something to play for and wanting to be part of whatever the final stretch holds.
“Our season’s been different than we expected,” Curry said. “But the fact that there’s still something to play for gives all of us a lot of confidence.”
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors will return against the Houston Rockets.
What’s Still Possible for the Warriors
The mood inside the Warriors facility ahead of Sunday was noticeably different. The numbers tell part of the story. The quotes tell the rest.
Golden State will need to win two play-in games on the road against a mix of the Portland Trail Blazers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Phoenix Suns just to reach the playoffs. From there, a first-round series against either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the San Antonio Spurs would await.
Curry was characteristically direct about what the immediate mission looks like.
“Hopefully win two play-in games,” Curry said. “Then we can have another conversation.”
GP2 Drops Quote on Superman’s Return
Gary Payton did not need long to explain what having Curry back does for him personally.
“I get layups,” Payton said. “Wide open layups.”
He went further when asked what the Warriors can still accomplish this season with Curry back in the fold.
“Whatever we put our mind to,” Payton said. “Now that Superman’s back.”
The numbers give that quote real weight. Golden State has posted a 118.0 offensive rating with Curry on the floor this season. Without him, that number drops to 110.2.
The difference is not subtle. Defenses collapse toward Curry the moment he crosses halfcourt, and the reads and lanes that open up for everyone else are immediate. Payton’s layups do not happen without that gravity.
GettyGolden State Warriors guard Gary Payton II celebrates with Stephen Curry.
Final Word for the Warriors
Curry could have shut it down. The record without him was ugly. The knee injury had no guarantees.
He chose to come back. He loves the game and he believes this team still has something left to chase. That says everything about who he is at 38 years old.
Sunday night at Chase Center. Curry is back. Superman returns.
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