SAN FRANCISCO — Stephen Curry is scheduled to return from a more than four-month absence with a broken left hand to play for Golden State against the Toronto Raptors on Thursday night (10:30 ET, TNT).
The Warriors announced Wednesday night that Curry had been medically cleared to play and would be in the lineup Thursday in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals won in six games by Toronto. The two-time NBA MVP missed 58 games after falling on his left hand Oct. 30 versus Phoenix.
Good morning, #DubNation pic.twitter.com/cJZ5MRHyxD
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 5, 2020
He practiced Monday with the G League Santa Cruz Warriors, then was recalled back to the NBA team later in the day in a most expected promotion. Curry got up shots on Thursday morning before the game and afterward, spoke with the media.
During that conversation, he was asked about participating in the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. He was among the 44 players announced as finalists for the team that will play this summer.
“It’s a lot of time before now and then, but I’ve always had that on my radar for sure,” Curry said Thursday, per Anthony Slater of The Athletic. As to whether or not the injury made him question participating in the Olympics, Curry said: “It wasn’t really a thought until recently when I knew where I was ready to play. Right now the focus, obviously, is just trying to stay healthy these last 20 games. Get my rhythm back, get to the level of basketball I know I’m capable of playing.
“We’re obviously going to be done April 16 [when the NBA regular season ends], so you kind of understand what the schedule looks like leading up to July when training camp in Las Vegas starts. But that’s still the goal.”
Steph Curry said he still plans to compete in the Olympics pic.twitter.com/UxYYidvoO9
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) March 5, 2020
Additionally, Curry told reporters Thursday that he wants to play in every game the rest of the season and doesn’t want to take a “now you see me, now you don’t” approach to the end of Golden State’s 2019-20 campaign.
Curry, who turns 32 on March 14, had hoped to return last Sunday against Washington but his timeline wasn’t too far delayed. He is averaging 20.3 points, 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds over just four games this season.
Steph Curry says he wants to play as much as possible upon return and seemed like doesn’t want to miss back to backs: “That’s why I went through all the check points.” Says he doesn’t want a “now you see me now you don’t” approach pic.twitter.com/5DQanblxUd
— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) March 5, 2020
Curry’s initial game back from injury also will be his first on the court with Andrew Wiggins, who was acquired by the Warriors from Minnesota on Feb. 6 for guard D’Angelo Russell, guard Jacob Evans and forward Omari Spellman.
“I’m very excited. I feel like everybody is,” Wiggins said. “He’s the type of player that single handedly he’s going to come and change the way everyone plays for the better. So, I’m excited. He’s a game-changer.”
Wiggins is scoring 20.1 points in his first nine games with the Warriors.
About time!!! 😂 pic.twitter.com/yVs6r4UTZI
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 5, 2020
The Warriors have already ruled out Curry’s Splash Brother, Klay Thompson, for the entire season as he recovers from surgery last July 2 to repair a torn ACL in his left knee suffered in the decisive Game 6 last June 13.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
