Curry Back on Track for Friday's Return
Stephen Curry is expected to play Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves after missing the Warriors' last five games with a left quad contusion and muscle strain. Golden State didn't even list Curry on Thursday's injury report, signaling he's cleared to return barring any setbacks in pre-game warmups.
"Day-to-day, but it's looking good," coach Steve Kerr told reporters Wednesday after Curry completed a full practice, including scrimmage work. The 37-year-old two-time MVP participated in his first team practice Wednesday at Chase Center after staying home during Golden State's recent three-game road trip to focus on rehabilitation.
The Injury That Sidelined Curry
Curry went down hard during Golden State's 104-100 loss to Houston on November 26. With 3:24 remaining and the game tied at 91, Curry and Rockets guard Amen Thompson collided under the basket on a drive to the hoop. The play was initially ruled an offensive foul before Houston successfully challenged, overturning it to a block by Curry—who was grimacing in pain on the floor.
He limped to the locker room with 35 seconds left in the game. The diagnosis: left quadriceps contusion and muscle strain. Not a minor knock, but not season-threatening either. The kind of injury that requires time and patience, especially for a 37-year-old in his 17th NBA season.
The Long Road Back to Full Health
Curry spent the past week working four to six hours daily at Chase Center with the Warriors' medical and training staff. The process wasn't glamorous—hours of monotonous rehab work while his teammates traveled and played without him.
"A lot of long days. You always talk about rehab, it's monotonous, especially when the team is away," Curry explained Thursday. "You've got to have some really good playlists."
The challenge wasn't just pain management in the bottom portion of his quad—it was rebuilding lost strength in both the strained muscle and surrounding areas while regaining full range of motion. Only in the last few days did Curry fully recover that range of motion, allowing him to resume all basketball activities.
"That's what the work has been the last week and as I got full range of motion back, then I could get back out on the floor pretty quickly and get back to moving normally," Curry said.
Warriors Managed Without Their Star
Golden State went 3-2 without Curry, proving they have enough depth and talent to compete when he's sidelined. The team's most recent performance—a 123-91 blowout win over Chicago on Sunday—particularly impressed their injured leader.
"You just want guys playing with confidence, and that's what it ended up being like in Chicago," Curry said. "It was great to see. Everybody felt involved, everybody was playing, reading the game and taking the shots that you're supposed to take. So nothing should change when I'm out there."
That confidence matters. When role players step up during absences and perform well, it creates momentum that carries over when stars return. Golden State (13-12) is treading water in the Western Conference, but winning three of five without Curry keeps them competitive while he recovers.
Playing Alongside Brother Seth for First Time
Friday's game brings a unique storyline: Stephen Curry will play alongside his younger brother Seth for the first time in their NBA careers. Seth joined Golden State recently, and the brothers sharing the court represents a rare family moment in professional basketball.
It's the kind of feel-good subplot that makes regular season games memorable, especially when the older brother is returning from injury to finally team up with his sibling at the professional level.
What Curry Brings Back to Golden State
Before the injury, Curry was averaging 27.9 points, 4 assists, and 3.7 rebounds while shooting better than 39% from three-point range this season. Those numbers don't tell the full story—Curry's gravity warps defenses, creates open looks for teammates, and elevates Golden State's entire offensive ecosystem.
The Warriors function differently when Curry's on the floor. Spacing improves. Ball movement accelerates. Opponents can't help off him, which opens driving lanes and post-up opportunities for others. His return stabilizes a team that's been inconsistent this season, providing the offensive anchor they need to make a playoff push.
Managing a 37-Year-Old Superstar
This is Curry's 17th NBA season. He's not 25 anymore, and the Warriors know it. That's why they didn't rush him back, why they kept him home during the road trip, and why they'll monitor his response to pre-game workouts Friday before confirming he's playing.
Golden State's championship window depends on Curry staying healthy. A five-game absence in December is manageable. Aggravating the quad injury by returning too soon and missing weeks or months? That's season-ending for a team with playoff aspirations.
Kerr and the training staff took the conservative approach, and it appears to have worked. Curry went through full practices, including scrimmage action, without setbacks. He regained his range of motion. The strength returned. Now he's ready to play at full speed again.
What to Expect Friday Night
Assuming no setbacks during warmups, Curry will be back in Golden State's starting lineup against Minnesota. Expect the Warriors to monitor his minutes carefully—this isn't the game to push him for 38 minutes after a five-game absence. They'll ease him back, ensure the quad holds up under game conditions, and gradually increase his workload over the coming weeks.
"Feeling great. I had a good rehab week and the guys took care of business on the trip, so that was great to see the energy coming back," Curry said Thursday. "I'm happy to practice the last couple days to see how I feel. After these last two sessions, I'm pretty optimistic."
That optimism, combined with his absence from the injury report, signals Friday is the night. Stephen Curry is back, ready to play alongside his brother for the first time, and prepared to help Golden State stabilize their season.