Stephen Curry Returns at Last: What to Expect From Warriors Star

For over two months, the Golden State Warriors have looked like a team waiting. Waiting for rhythm. Waiting for leadership. Waiting for their identity to return.

Because without Stephen Curry, there is no version of the Warriors that feels complete. The numbers reflect it. The eye test confirms it. The standings expose it.

Golden State has spent this stretch slipping, scrambling, and surviving without the player who defines everything they do. And now, with just days left in the regular season, that wait is finally over.

Stephen Curry is expected to return against the Houston Rockets. But this is not just about a return. This is about whether he can rescue what remains of the Warriors’ season.

1. The Return After a Long Road

Curry’s absence began on January 30, when he exited a game against the Detroit Pistons with knee pain and swelling. What followed was far from straightforward. There were multiple attempts to ramp up his workload. Each time, the knee pushed back. Setbacks delayed his timeline. What was initially expected to be a shorter absence stretched into 27 consecutive missed games.

Now, after two successful five-on-five scrimmages and positive responses from his knee, Curry has cleared the final hurdle. He will practice fully and is expected to suit up against Houston. It is a return that has taken patience. And one that arrives just in time.

Before going down, Curry was playing at an elite level. He was averaging:

• 27.2 points per game
• 4.8 assists
• 3.5 rebounds
• 39.1 percent shooting from three-point range

Those are not just solid numbers. They are superstar numbers. They are the kind of numbers that keep a team competitive regardless of circumstance. More importantly, they highlight just how much Golden State has missed. Because replacing that level of production is not possible.It can only be survived.

2. What Version of Curry Will Return

This is where expectations need to be grounded. Yes, Curry is back. But he is coming off a 27-game absence. Rust is inevitable. Timing will be off. Shooting rhythm may fluctuate. Conditioning will take time to rebuild. Even head coach Steve Kerr has acknowledged that Curry will need a runway to get back to his best.

And with only five games remaining, that runway is incredibly short. The Warriors are not getting peak Curry immediately. They are getting a version that will have to rebuild himself in real time.One of the most intriguing elements of Curry’s return is something entirely new.

For the first time, he will share the floor with Kristaps Porzingis. Acquired at the trade deadline, Porzingis adds a completely different dimension to Golden State’s offense. His size, shooting, and versatility create opportunities that did not previously exist. Now imagine that paired with Curry’s gravity.

Defenses will be forced into impossible decisions. Double Curry, and Porzingis has space. Stay home on Porzingis, and Curry operates freely. The potential is undeniable. The challenge is time. Five games is not enough to fully build chemistry. But it is enough to show flashes. And right now, flashes might be all the Warriors need.

3. The Reality of the Warriors’ Situation

Even with Curry returning, the bigger picture remains harsh. The Warriors are:

• 36-41 overall
• 10th in the Western Conference
• Locked into the Play-In Tournament

Without Curry, they went 9–18. With him, they are 23–16. That contrast says everything. This team is entirely different when Curry plays. But even then, their path is difficult. To make the playoffs, Golden State will likely need to win two play-in games. And if they succeed, a matchup with a top seed like the Oklahoma City Thunder awaits.

This is not a smooth road. It is a steep climb. The Warriors cannot afford to rush Curry. And they know it. With his injury history this season and the nature of knee issues, the focus will be on controlled minutes and gradual reintegration.

Back-to-backs may be avoided. Playing time could be limited initially. Every decision will be made with the postseason in mind. That means Curry’s immediate impact may be tempered. But it also ensures he is available when it matters most.

• Tags:
• NBA
• NBA 2025-26
• Stephen Curry
• golden state warriors