Stephen Curry hopes to lead a surprise Warriors playoff run now that he’s healthy after knee injury

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry practically glared in delight when he scored and was fouled in his first game back after missing more than two months because of a knee injury. He brought back his celebratory shimmy, shaking his upper body after being sent to the floor on that play following a layup when he drove past former teammate Kevin Durant.

Curry’s pregame dribbling and shooting routine had fans showing up early again in the regular-season’s final week at Chase Center just for a glimpse, phone cameras held high — including by the rehabbing Jimmy Butler — to capture the must-see moments as everyone suddenly realizes No. 30 is hardly immortal, as much as it used to seem.

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And it might be short-lived, for this season anyway. These injury-plagued Golden State Warriors are a long shot, even if Curry hopes to save the day on his troublesome right knee.

The two-time MVP and his Warriors have a daunting task just to get into the playoffs: They are the tenth seed in the Western Conference and need to win a pair of elimination games on the road to earn the eighth seed and a chance to face defending champion and No. 1 Oklahoma City.

Golden State will play Wednesday night against the Clippers in Los Angeles.

“Until we get bounced from whatever this is, we’re going to approach it the same way: dignity, competitiveness and confidence that you can win any game,” Curry said. “That’s just the mentality we have.”

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And Curry never considered saying forget about it and sitting out the rest of the way, though there were some rough times alone in the training room.

He wanted to come back and try. He knows these opportunities won’t last forever, having turned 38 last month and finishing up a 17th NBA season that hardly has gone as planned.

But, with Curry, there is renewed hope.

“There’s a momentum and a confidence,” coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s Steph Curry for a reason.”

Guard Gary Payton II put the Warriors’ chances this way: “Whatever we put our mind to — now that Superman’s back.”

Backcourt mate Butler went down in January against his former Heat team with a torn ACL in his…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/stephen-curry-hopes-lead-surprise-152501780.html

Author : JANIE McCAULEY

Publish date : 2026-04-13 15:25:00

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