Steph Curry just might make it back, after all.
The Warriors superstar took his most significant step yet to returning from a knee issue that has kept him out since Jan. 30, participating in practice with the team Tuesday.
While it was a “very light” session, according to Steve Kerr, the coach said Curry was expected to take part in a 5-on-5 scrimmage immediately afterward — a first for the 38-year-old sharpshooter and probably a step that had to happen this week for there to be enough time for Curry to return this season.
“It’s a good step for him,” Kerr said.
The Warriors must see how Curry’s knee responds to the live, on-court action, ruling him out for a 26th consecutive game Wednesday against the Spurs. Kerr left open the possibility that Curry could play Thursday against the Cavaliers, but said that was “doubtful.”
“We’ve got to see how he responds to the scrimmage. And then we’ll just take it day-by-day,” Kerr said. “It’s scrimmage today. And we’ll see how he feels tomorrow. And we’ll go from there.”
The development represented the most positive turn of events in a stop-and-go saga that Curry has described as “frustrating.” He is dealing with inflammation and bone bruising in his right knee — commonly known as runner’s knee — that can be tricky to manage, according to doctors. The injury subsides with rest, but returning to action too quickly can cause it to flare up again.
That is why not only Curry’s return to practice, but how he feels the following day, is critical.
Curry had been progressing well enough for the Warriors to set up a scrimmage for him on their last road trip and fly the head of their medical staff, Rick Celebrini, to Atlanta. In just one example of the unpredictable nature of the injury, Curry wasn’t cleared and the scrimmage didn’t take place.
It seemed to be a step in the wrong direction for Curry, leading Kerr to acknowledge last week that there was “actually a conversation now” about whether there would be time left for him to come back this season. “We need to give him a runway if this is gonna work,” he said, “and we are running out of games.”
Golden State has seven games remaining starting Wednesday against the Spurs. Even if Curry wasn’t cleared to return until after the back-to-back, that would still give him five regular-season games to get ready for the Warriors’ inevitable date with the play-in tournament.
With wins against bad teams in three of their past four games, the Warriors improved to 9-16 over the course of Curry’s absence. They once hoped to avoid the play-in, or climb to the No. 7-8 matchup, but their fate has been sealed for some time. All the while, Curry has been determined to return.
Now, the payoff is that much closer.
