Stephen Curry return timeline suddenly becomes real as Warriors reveal key injury update

The Golden State Warriors may finally be getting their season back, and it all hinges on what happens over the next few days. After missing extended time with a knee injury, Stephen Curry is no longer just progressing behind the scenes.

For the first time since he went down, there is now a realistic return window, and it could arrive sooner than expected. Golden State announced that Curry has participated in a full 5-on-5 scrimmage, a major step in his recovery from patella-femoral pain syndrome and a bone bruise in his right knee.

The team confirmed he is expected to scrimmage again this week before being re-evaluated over the weekend, which suddenly makes Sunday’s matchup against the Houston Rockets feel less like a hopeful target and more like a legitimate possibility.

This is the step that changes everything for Golden State

There is a big difference between workouts and live scrimmage action, and Curry crossing that threshold matters. Head coach Steve Kerr made it clear this is the next phase of the process, with another scrimmage expected in the coming days, and what happens during those sessions, especially how Curry’s knee responds afterward, will determine everything.

Until now, the updates around Curry have been cautious and measured, but this one carries a different tone because it signals the Warriors are no longer just monitoring progress, they are actively preparing for his return, and that shift alone changes the conversation around this team.

Steph Curry is targeting to return Sunday against the Rockets, per @sam_amick pic.twitter.com/e5IctkPkEI

Warriors suddenly have something to chase again

At 36-39, Golden State is sitting in a dangerous spot in the Western Conference standings, currently 10th and chasing positioning with little margin for error. For weeks, the season has felt like it was slipping into survival mode as Curry’s absence forced the Warriors into a grind where they were just trying to stay afloat rather than build momentum.

Now there is a clear pivot point, because if Curry is able to return as early as Sunday, the Warriors are no longer just trying to hang on; they become a team that can actually push, and that is what makes this update feel bigger than a typical injury report.

Everything now depends on the next few days

The path forward is simple, even if the stakes are not, because Curry needs to get through another scrimmage, he needs to respond well physically, and he needs to clear the final evaluation over the weekend. 

If all of that happens, the Warriors could have their franchise centerpiece back just in time to make a late push, but if not, the uncertainty continues.

Either way, this is the closest Golden State has been to getting Curry back in two months, and for a team sitting on the edge of the playoff picture, that makes the next few days feel like they will define everything.