Stephen Curry made an immediate impact in his first appearance since Jan. 30, scoring 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting in just 26 minutes. Entering from the bench against Houston, he quickly reignited both the crowd and his teammates, nearly carrying Golden State to a dramatic comeback. Head coach Steve Kerr noted the clear shift in atmosphere, pointing to renewed confidence and energy across the team despite the narrow 117-116 defeat.
After missing 27 consecutive games with runner’s knee, Curry was initially scheduled to play limited stretches, closing each quarter with roughly six minutes on the floor. However, his rhythm came quickly, and Kerr extended his run late in the third quarter. Following a shaky start that included a travel and a blocked shot, Curry found his footing and led a late surge from a 10-point deficit, briefly putting the Warriors ahead in the closing seconds.
Kerr emphasized how Curry’s presence transforms the team’s overall play, particularly on offense. Even without the ball, his movement created opportunities, leading to high-quality looks and easy baskets. Facing a physical defensive assignment in his return, Curry still managed to look comfortable, reinforcing how quickly he can influence the game.
Late-game chemistry shows familiar promise
Golden State’s closing lineup leaned on a smaller, familiar setup after Kristaps Porziņģis fouled out early in the fourth quarter, limiting his time alongside Curry to just eight minutes. This forced a return to a lineup featuring Draymond Green at center, a configuration Curry knows well. The group’s chemistry was evident late in the game, as ball movement and spacing allowed the team to execute effectively under pressure.
Curry described the closing stretch as reminiscent of past successes, highlighting how the unit operated in sync. Defensive attention on him opened driving lanes for teammates, while quick decision-making led to fluid offensive sequences. The cohesion, he said, made the experience both enjoyable and encouraging despite the final result.
One notable moment came in the second quarter, when Curry shared the court with his brother Seth for the first time in a regular-season NBA game. The brief three-minute stint carried personal significance, as the two reflected on their shared journey through injuries and their last in-game experience together dating back to high school. With their mother in attendance, the moment stood out as a meaningful highlight in an otherwise competitive night.
Narrow defeat but signs of progress
Golden State’s late push ultimately fell short after Houston responded with a decisive basket in the final moments. A last-second three-point attempt from Curry, contested by multiple defenders, did not fall. Kerr still expressed satisfaction with the team’s overall execution, pointing to strong offensive numbers, including 34 assists and limited turnovers, while acknowledging the missed defensive stop at the end.
With four games remaining, the Warriors are currently 10th in the Western Conference and appear headed for the play-in tournament. Curry indicated that his minutes will likely remain similar in the upcoming game as he continues to ease back into full form. The focus, he said, is on managing his workload carefully while building consistency.
Kerr expects Curry to return to the starting lineup soon, though no exact timeline has been set. The team is also awaiting the possible return of Al Horford, who is progressing through workouts and could rejoin the rotation before the regular season concludes. Given a season marked by injuries, including the loss of Jimmy Butler in January, Golden State is now focused on building momentum at the right time.