Stephen Curry set to return for Warriors in opposition to Rockets after two-month absence with knee damage

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry confronted what he known as “some long, dark days” of rehab on his troublesome proper knee over the previous two months. The restoration took far longer than he’d ever imagined.

Now, the two-time MVP is about to return when the Golden State Warriors host Houston on Sunday evening after lacking 27 consecutive video games — it might be his first recreation since Jan. 30 in opposition to Detroit.

And the Warriors know everybody at Chase Center will likely be thrilled. Curry warmed up on the ground Wednesday and his routine was an enormous hit.

“We want to bring joy to this building, we want to bring joy to our fans, that’s what this is about. It’s about winning, yes, but it’s about people really enjoying coming to the building and watching our team play. It’s the most important thing,” coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “… Frankly, Steph is responsible for more of that than anyone. One of the greatest players of all time but he’s the greatest face of a franchise in any sport that I’ve ever seen.”

Curry scrimmaged a number of occasions this previous week to check his injured proper knee, and he by no means considered shutting it down for the remainder of the season as a result of he has remained decided to get on the ground because the Warriors head for the SoFi Play-In Tournament hoping to make a shock run.

“I’m just happy to have a little clarity and a little window to get back out there and try to get to the level I was playing at and finish the year strong,” Curry mentioned after follow Saturday. “A lot of hours go into it so it’s just a matter of reminding yourself you’re working toward getting back as much as you can.”

He will likely be listed as questionable on the damage report. Curry mentioned coping with the ache is a part of his “new normal” and the offseason would require a major reset.

The 38-year-old Curry initially anticipated to be enjoying proper after the All-Star break, however the restoration was extended by some troublesome moments when he would really feel good, push laborious then pay for it the next day.

“So there was always a point where I would do all these tests off the court and do stuff to make sure it makes sense to get out on the floor and I’d feel great,” he mentioned, “and then you start running and do your normal workout and toward the end of however long the session was you start to feel that pain start to creep back in and the next day it would be awful. You played that song and dance so many times over the last two months, so that was the most frustrating part.”

Curry leads the Warriors in scoring with 27.2 factors per recreation and it has been irritating.

When requested whether or not he and Vice President of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini had decided what number of minutes Curry may play, Kerr mentioned “less than 48.”

And it was attainable Curry might come off the bench — “everything is possible, yeah, anything is possible.”

Whatever his limitations, the Warriors can’t wait to have No. 30 lastly contribute once more.

“The game tends to get a lot easier for everybody when Steph is out there. We’ll still be playing our style of basketball but it will be nice to have him back assuming he’s back,” Kerr mentioned. “… Great energy, hope, he just brings hope to everybody, so the sun is shining a little brighter, food tastes a little better. Steph is Steph, he brings joy to everybody, players, coaches fans. He’s a special human being.”

The Warriors (36-41) have misplaced three straight video games general and are to 13-25 this season with out Curry — together with 9-18 throughout this stretch with him sidelined by patellofemoral ache syndrome.

“Now Superman’s back, we’ll figure it out,” guard Gary Payton II mentioned. “It’s like a gravity pull, some type of pull, force pull. Just to see him available, I’m sure he gives life to players and coaches and front office.”