Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors
Getty
Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors are still awaiting the desperately-needed return of superstar guardStephen Curry.
The team pulled out an overtime victory on the road over the struggling Dallas Mavericks on Monday night, but even the win screamed how crucial it is for Curry to return as soon as he can for the Warriors to stand a chance this season.
Curry, 38, has been out since late January with a frustrating knee injury. He has been limited to just 39 tilts this season and will not be eligible for any regular season awards or honors.
But that is the last thing on Curry and Golden State’s mind right now. Both sides just want to see the former unanimous NBA MVP back in uniform to help save a sinking ship.
The Warriors are just barely holding onto a play-in spot. Curry’s return will almost certainly provide them more breathing space. But the question remains when he’ll actually be cleared.
Golden State Warriors Release Stephen Curry Update
Curry was anticipated to engage in live contactpractice late last week, but that didn’t end up happening after the Golden State star hit an injury setback.
He was already ruled out a couple of games in advance and, by the feel of things, is likely set to miss tomorrow’s home contest against the Brooklyn Nets. But a return is beginning to feel closer.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 03: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after their 141-134 overtime loss to the Atlanta Hawks. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Although Curry didn’t end up engaging in contact activity, head coach Steve Kerrprovided some news that should make fans hopeful.
He quickly turned down the notion that the franchise is considering shutting down its superstar for the remainder of the regular season; then, he mentioned the Warriors would decide Curry’s next steps once they kickoff their homestand beginning tomorrow night.
“We’re not chasing a play-in berth. We are squarely in the play-in no matter what we do,” Kerr told ESPN. “Bottom line, if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for. The chance to get into the playoffs is a big deal for us, big deal for Steph.”
Golden State fans can breathe a sigh of relief. They are guaranteed to see their favorite player back on the court this season — if he is able to get healthy, which many are hopeful he will be.
Any easy thing to lose sight of is the fact that Curry is much older now. An older player, no matter how good or not-so-good they are, requires more time and patience in their recovery process. A bad knee is no joke, even for an NBA player in his early-to-mid 20s. The Warriors are giving their superstar all the time he needs, and that is absolutely the right step to take.
That doesn’t mean Curry isn’t somewhere itching to play again. Kerr commented the 12-time All-Star is “dying” to return to action.
For a player who has been through so many deep playoff runs and has won four championships, it is probably living hell having to rehab this injury while his team is clearly teetering without him.
What is Golden State’s Ceiling if Curry Returns Healthy?
Chances are you’ve heard someone in your lifetime saying to “never count out the heart of a champion.”
The Warriors won’t win the title this year; they won’t even make it to the Finals or even sniff the conference finals. But Curry’s healthy return to the lineup can absolutely become a building block for next season.
Sure, for a team as old as Golden State, it may be easy to think what it even has to build to begin with. Curry is great but aging, Butler is past his prime and will be coming off major surgery and rehab next season, the young talent isn’t anything that leaps off the page. We get it.
Curry has, however, shown that he can keep his team very much in the mix if he is able to start and finish a season healthy.
As for this season, if and when Curry suits up again, the Warriors will likely have a pretty decent shot at making the playoffs thanks to the play-in tournament. No West play-in team will have a player who can single-handedly pop off and take his team to victory like Curry has proved. Surviving these games are very possible if the future Hall of Famer puts on his hero cape.
Last night’s win in Dallas gave the Warriors just their seventh win in the last 23 games without their superstar. There isn’t any momentum to speak of for now, but the day Curry gets cleared and then makes his return, that could spark enough motivation for the entire team to pull out one last hurrah on the season and back its way into the spring tournament.
With roughly 10 games left in the 82-game slate, the clock is ticking, but Curry has shown he has rarely needed more than a game or two to get his mojo back.