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Stephen Curry reacts during his return for the Golden State Warriors after a 27-game absence due to a knee injury.
The Golden State Warriors are expected to have Stephen Curry available again Tuesday night against the Sacramento Kings, with the star guard listed as probable on the latest NBA injury report.
The designation follows Curry’s long-awaited return Sunday after a 27-game absence due to a right knee injury, providing a significant boost for a Warriors team fighting to stay competitive in the final stretch of the regular season.
Stephen Curry Delivers 29 Points in Return vs Rockets
GettyStephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors lays up a shot against Jae’Sean Tate of the Houston Rockets in the second quarter at Chase Center on April 05, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
Curry wasted little time making an impact in his return, finishing with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, in 26 minutes during a 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Coming off the bench for the first time in a regular-season game since 2012, Curry gradually worked his way into rhythm after a slow start.
“First run was rough,” Curry said. “Second run was great.”
He scored 11 points in both the third and fourth quarters, nearly capping his return with a game-winning 30-foot attempt at the buzzer that missed long.
“Looked great when it left his hands,” Kevin Durant said. “I was a little nervous seeing that ball in the air.”
Warriors Managing Stephen Curry’s Minutes After Injury Return
The Warriors are expected to continue managing Curry’s workload as he returns from what he described as a “runner’s knee,” a condition involving persistent pain and swelling.
Curry played 26 minutes in his return, slightly above the initial target of around 24 minutes, and indicated he expects a similar workload against Sacramento.
“Got to be smart and do the right thing for the right reasons,” Curry said. “All I’m looking forward to is Tuesday.”
Head coach Steve Kerr emphasized a cautious approach, noting the injury remains “unpredictable” despite no structural damage.
“We’re going to manage it accordingly,” Kerr said. “First game back, he’s not playing 48 minutes.”
Warriors Playoff Scenario With Stephen Curry Back
The Warriors enter Tuesday’s matchup at 36-42, putting them in position to finish as the No. 10 seed in the Western Conference and secure a spot in the play-in tournament.
Golden State has four games remaining in the regular season and is expected to rely heavily on Curry as it attempts to regain momentum.
The team went 13-25 without Curry this season, underscoring his importance to both their offensive production and overall competitiveness.
If the standings hold, the Warriors will face a do-or-die play-in scenario, likely needing to win two games to advance into the playoffs.
Stephen Curry’s Return Changes Golden State’s Outlook
Curry’s presence immediately changes the Warriors’ ceiling, even with minutes restrictions still in place.
“You can just feel it,” Kerr said. “We’re back in the mix. We’re back in the fight with Steph. … He changes everything.”
The Warriors are also expected to regain additional frontcourt depth soon, with veteran center Al Horford nearing a return from a calf strain.
With Curry back in the lineup, Golden State is aiming to reestablish rhythm quickly as the postseason approaches — starting with Tuesday’s game against Sacramento.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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