Steph Curry returns to Warriors on minutes restriction as team eyes postseason push

Atlantic76ersCelticsKnicksNetsRaptorsCentralBucksBullsCavaliersPacersPistonsSoutheastHawksHeatHornetsMagicWizardsSouthwestGrizzliesMavericksPelicansRocketsSpursNorthwestJazzNuggetsThunderTimberwolvesTrail BlazersPacificClippersKingsLakersSunsWarriorsScores & ScheduleStandingsThe Bounce NewsletterNBA DraftPodcastsFantasyNBA OddsNBA PicksAll-Defensive, All-Rookie Awards WatchPlayoff Matchups As Of TodayInside NBA Sneaker CultureHistory of NBA GrowthSteph Curry returns to Warriors on minutes restriction as team eyes postseason pushSteph Curry returns to the Warriors on a minutes restriction after being out since Jan. 30. Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Share full articleSAN FRANCISCO — Easter isn’t the only religious holiday some members of the Golden State Warriors organization will celebrate Sunday night. They’ll also be thankful for the return of the most important figure in the team’s history: Stephen Curry. The 38-year-old superstar will return Sunday night after missing the last two months because of a right knee injury. “He’s one of the most beloved players in league history,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said before Sunday’s game against the Houston Rockets. “Bay Area history, any sport. I think a long absence like this reminds anybody how lucky we are to see him, to watch him, to coach him, to play with him. So tonight’s a special night because we’re reminded of how lucky we’ve been and how lucky we still are.” Kerr said Curry, who has been out since Jan. 30, will be limited in his return to around 25 minutes. The Warriors will be understandably cautious given how much time Curry has missed and the fact there is only one week left in the regular season. “Five games in eight days with a back to back, so we’re gonna manage it accordingly,” Kerr said. “The plan for tonight would be shorter bursts, and we’ll see on the minutes, but first game back, he’s not playing 48 minutes.” Curry acknowledged after Saturday’s practice his lingering knee issue has caused him to face a “new normal” in dealing with whatever knee pain may pop up in the future. Kerr said the Warriors’ training staff isn’t having detailed conversations about how to handle Curry’s minutes in the future because those conversations have been ongoing all along. The Warriors have been working with Curry and the training staff to allow him to feel comfortable as his body continues to age after 17 seasons in the league. “This is nothing new other than he’s just older now,” Kerr said. “He’s 38, so Father Time is catching up, but he’s still capable, we know that. But we’re looking at tonight and the rest of this week, and everything after that, that comes next.” Kerr also noted that he was hopeful to play Curry with his younger brother, Seth, for the first time as teammates. Seth Curry signed with the Warriors earlier this season but has battled a variety of different health issues, including a sciatica problem, that has limited him to six games coming into Sunday’s contest. The Curry brothers have yet to see the floor together. “It would be fun,” Kerr said. “I’m planning on making that happen.” Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Nick Friedell is a Senior Writer for The Athletic covering the Golden State Warriors and the NBA. Nick spent 14 years at ESPN covering the NBA, most notably as a reporter as well as a TV and radio commentator. He is a graduate of The Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Follow Nick on X @NickFriedell.