The Golden State Warriors are heading into Thursday night’s matchup against the Phoenix Suns trying to snap a two-game skid - and they’ll be doing it with their franchise cornerstone back in the lineup. Steph Curry, who recently returned from a calf injury, is not listed on the injury report and is set to suit up in the desert.
That’s a big boost for a Warriors squad that’s been searching for answers as of late. Curry’s been back for two games now, and if there were any concerns about rust, he’s already erased them.
He dropped 39 points on 50% shooting in his return against the Timberwolves, then followed that up with a 48-point explosion versus Portland. Simply put, the man hasn’t missed a beat.
On the season, Curry’s numbers remain elite: 29.6 points, 3.9 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in just over 31 minutes a night. He’s not just scoring - he’s doing it efficiently and consistently, even after missing five games with the calf issue.
But as sharp as Curry has looked, the Warriors haven’t been able to convert that individual brilliance into wins. They’ve dropped both games since his return and now sit at 13-14, one game below .500 and holding onto the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
That’s not where this team - or its fans - expected to be in mid-December. And head coach Steve Kerr isn’t shying away from accountability.
After their recent home loss to the Blazers, Kerr was candid: “I’m not doing my job well this year,” he said. It’s a rare moment of self-critique from a coach who’s led this core to four championships, but it reflects the frustration that’s been building in the Bay.
Golden State isn’t the only team limping into this one. The Suns have also lost two straight and currently sit just ahead of the Warriors in the standings at 14-12. Like the Warriors, Phoenix has been navigating its own ups and downs this season, and Thursday’s game offers both teams a chance to reset the narrative - at least for a night.
This will be the second meeting between the two squads this season. Golden State took the first round back in early November, winning 118-107. The teams will clash two more times before the regular season wraps - once later this month and again in February - but this one has the feel of a game both sides badly want to win.
With Curry back and firing on all cylinders, the Warriors have the firepower. Now they just need the results to follow.