Golden State Warriors guard Seth Curry returned to NBA action Monday night after a 40-game absence and said the moment carried extra meaning following months of recovery from a back injury.
The veteran shooter scored 13 points in 12 minutes during Golden State’s 119-116 loss to the Utah Jazz at Delta Center in Salt Lake City.
“Felt great. Felt great,” Curry said after the game. “Always helps when they give you a wide open shot for when you get in there.”
Curry said the opportunity to play again came after a lengthy and uncertain rehabilitation process.
“I’ve been working hard this past however many months to try to get back,” Curry said. “I didn’t know if I would make it back at all, but it’s good to get out there, get my feet wet, and try to contribute in whatever way I can.”
The guard explained that the injury gradually worsened before reaching a point where he could barely move.
“I just had a minor pain in my back,” Curry said. “It just kept getting worse and worse and then it hit a tipping point.”
At its worst stage, the injury forced him to remain inactive for weeks.
“There was like a month where I couldn’t move at all,” Curry said. “I really couldn’t move. I was just laying at home.”
Once the pain subsided, the focus shifted to rebuilding mobility and regaining basketball movement.
“Once the pain went away I was able to rehab and try to get all my movement back,” Curry said. “But it’s been tough.”
Curry acknowledged that missing extended time while the Warriors dealt with injuries across the roster added to the frustration.
“I feel like I could have helped,” Curry said. “All the injuries and all the stuff going on, I feel like I could have helped throughout the season to put us in a better spot.”
The veteran shooter said progress during the All-Star break gave him confidence that a return was possible.
“I think over the All-Star break I made a jump,” Curry said. “I was working on continuing rehab and came back and played some live action.”
“That’s when I knew I’d be able to get back eventually,” he added.
Despite the long layoff, Curry said adjusting to game rhythm has rarely been an issue during his career.
“Luckily, my whole career I’ve been a guy who could sit and jump in,” Curry said. “For whatever reason I’ve had a knack for coming in with no rhythm and being able to contribute.”
Curry said he even practices that situation during workouts.
“I actually do work on just trying to make shots cold,” Curry said. “It’s something that helped me stick in the league and get a chance.”
After completing his first game back, Curry said the most important step now is recovery and continued progress.
“I feel good,” Curry said. “I was a little nervous with the back and how I’d get used to the pace and contact, but I feel good and just got to recover and keep building.”
The Warriors play the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, though Curry said his availability remains uncertain.
“I’m not sure yet,” Curry said. “I’ll talk to them after I get done here and see what happens.”
