Curry, who has missed 22 consecutive games because of a lingering knee injury, did not participate in a scheduled scrimmage Sunday morning in Atlanta. He did not have a setback, the Warriors said, but the team decided to proceed cautiously before Curry took the next step in his recovery. 

Head coach Steve Kerr said Rick Celebrini, the team’s vice president of player health and performance, simply changed his mind about the timing.

“It’s all part of the rehab and the different testing (Celebrini) does,” Kerr said before Monday night’s game against the Mavericks. “So it’s just pushed back a day or two.”

Curry remained with the Warriors on their trip. The team was scheduled to return to the Bay Area after the game, arriving early Tuesday morning. 

Golden State previously ruled Curry out of Monday’s game but left open the possibility he could return Wednesday night against Brooklyn at Chase Center. That now seems highly unlikely, because the Warriors want Curry to play five-on-five — and see how his knee responds — before clearing him to return.

The wider question making the rounds in some circles: Should the Warriors shut down Curry for the season? That would improve their chances at a slightly higher pick in a loaded draft class.

Not surprisingly, and understandably, Kerr shot down the idea. 

“The bottom line is, if Steph is healthy he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for,” Kerr said. “The chance to get into the playoffs is a big deal for us and it’s a big deal for Steph. At 38 (Curry’s age), you don’t know how many more chances there are, so you go for it.

“But if there’s any risk whatsoever in terms of how it would impact next year, then he won’t play. Pretty simple, actually.”

The Warriors also play a home game Friday night against Washington. Curry potentially could join a scrimmage Tuesday or Wednesday, giving him an outside chance of returning for Friday’s game.

After that, the Warriors play Sunday in Denver before a five-game homestand at Chase Center.

Curry hasn’t played since Jan. 30, meaning his absence is approaching two months. As Kerr put it, “He’s dying to get out there, for sure.”