Steph Curry is nearing a return to action just in time for a key stretch for the Warriors’ playoff push.
Curry, who has missed the last 11 games with a left leg injury, is likely to return sometime during the Warriors’ upcoming three-game road trip that starts against the Los Angeles Lakers on March 5, then against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Tuesday and Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, according to ESPN.
The 34-year-old has taken major strides and participated in more contact work in recent days, including a scrimmage with Andre Iguodala and some Warriors backups on Tuesday morning at Chase Center. The Warriors are expected to have an official update later Wednesday on Curry’s status and a potential timetable to return.
Curry’s injury occurred when he bumped knees with Mavericks guard McKinley Wright IV during the third quarter of a game on Feb. 4. An MRI after the game showed suffered partial tears to two lower-leg ligaments and a membrane, as well as a contusion.
Curry participated in light non-contact work following the All-Star break. He was spotted back on the practice courts, getting shots up after team practice in San Francisco on Monday.
Golden State is on a three-game win streak following a comeback victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, finding its stride defensively while awaiting Curry’s return. Still, the Warriors are 12-12 without Curry this season and 5-4 in the nine games he has missed with this injury. He missed 11 games earlier this season with a shoulder injury.
Sitting tied for the fifth seed in the West with the Los Angeles Clippers, Curry’s timely return could help the Warriors evade the play-in bracket, which involves seeds 7-10 in a tight conference race. They are only a half-game ahead of Dallas in the No. 7 spot and three games ahead of the Lakers in 12th, but just a game behind Phoenix for the fourth seed.
