Stephen Curry is set to return to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night against the Houston Rockets after missing 27 consecutive games with a troublesome right knee, the club announced following practice Saturday. It will be the two‑time MVP’s first game since Jan. 30 at Detroit, ending a roughly two‑month absence that he described as “some long, dark days” of rehab.
Curry, 38, warmed up on the Chase Center floor Wednesday and scrimmaged several times this week as he tested the knee that has been diagnosed as patellofemoral pain syndrome. He said Saturday he is “happy to have a little clarity and a little window to get back out there” and aims to regain the level he was playing at before the injury. He will be listed as questionable on the injury report, with the team still monitoring how the knee responds to game play.
Coach Steve Kerr emphasized Curry’s importance beyond statistics, calling him “one of the greatest players of all time” and “the greatest face of a franchise in any sport I’ve ever seen.” Kerr confirmed the club, along with Vice President of Player Health and Performance Rick Celebrini, has discussed minutes management — “less than 48,” he said — and did not rule out the possibility of Curry coming off the bench as the staff manages his workload.
Golden State (36-41) has struggled without Curry, going 13-25 overall and 9-18 during this particular stretch, and have lost three straight games. The Warriors are headed for the play‑in tournament and have held out hope that Curry’s return could spark a late surge. Curry leads the Warriors in scoring at 27.2 points per game, a figure that underscores how much the offense has been altered in his absence.
Curry acknowledged the setback of repeated good days followed by painful returns to activity, saying the most frustrating part was the “song and dance” of feeling fine in tests and early sessions, then experiencing a return of pain late in workouts or the following day. He called dealing with the discomfort part of his “new normal” and said the offseason will require a significant reset to manage the knee long term.
Teammates greeted the news with enthusiasm. Guard Gary Payton II joked, “Now Superman’s back,” and said Curry’s availability “gives life to players and coaches and front office,” noting the gravitational pull Curry’s presence exerts on the team. With the Warriors still chasing a playoff spot, Curry’s return provides both a morale lift and a practical boost as Golden State attempts to finish the regular season strong and secure a berth in the postseason.