Golden State Warriors’ star Steph Curry may be closer to a return than initially expected after a strained left hamstring sidelined him for Game 2 and Game 3 of the team’s second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Insider Shams Charania of ESPN shared an update, revealing that Curry’s return could be possible as soon as Game 6, depending on his recovery progress.
Curry, who is currently receiving extensive treatment for his injury in San Francisco, has not been cleared for full contact or running. However, the Warriors are hopeful that with more time to recover, he will be able to rejoin the team.
“There is still plenty of work to be done to get him to the point of movement, contact, running, sprinting,” Charania said. “He’ll be re-evaluated on Wednesday, but until that point, the Warriors’ mindset is to try to win one of these games back in the Bay tonight or Monday to extend the series.”
Charania highlighted that Game 6 is being seen as the earliest potential return date, giving Curry four days to recover between Game 5 and Game 6. “The Warriors are really looking at that Game 6 as the earliest potential window for Stephen Curry’s return,” Charania continued. “That would give him 12 total days of recovery from the injury he suffered in Game 1.”
This type of muscle strain is the first of its kind in Curry’s 16-year NBA career, leading the Warriors to exercise caution in his return. “This is the first muscle of this kind in his 16-year NBA career. So there’s going to be a level of caution with this injury,” Charania added.
The Warriors are currently facing a 2-1 series deficit after a tough 102-97 loss to Minnesota in Game 3. Despite a strong effort from Jimmy Butler (33 points) and Jonathan Kuminga (30 points), the Warriors faltered in the fourth quarter. Draymond Green fouled out in the final minutes, and Golden State’s offense struggled without Curry, leading to a crucial loss at Chase Center.
As the series continues, Golden State’s focus will be on keeping their championship hopes alive while managing Curry’s recovery. Should Curry return for Game 6, the Warriors will look to build on their momentum and make a push for the next round.
With the Timberwolves leading the series, Game 4 will be pivotal for Golden State’s playoff aspirations. The Warriors will need to bounce back quickly to avoid a potential elimination, while Curry’s return remains a key factor in their quest to extend their playoff run.
