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This story has been edited and updated as news has come out.
Steph Curry will reportedly make his long-awaited return this coming Sunday, March 1, when the Golden State Warriors host the Washington Wizards. The news was first reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium.
Warriors star Stephen Curry will return to the Golden State lineup on Sunday against the Wizards, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Curry on track for comeback four months after surgery on his broken left hand.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 25, 2020
However, it’s worth noting that Connor Letourneau and Wes Goldberg, the Warriors beat reporters for the San Francisco Chronicle and Mercury News, respectively, have a slightly conflicting report. Letourneau and Goldberg report that the organization is targeting that date, but haven’t set a return yet.
Per a team source, the Warriors have yet to decide whether Stephen Curry will return March 1 vs. the Wizards. That has been the target date, however, and his progress has been good.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) February 25, 2020
Curry has been open about targeting Sunday for his return, but hearing the news now is still surprising. After the last re-evaluation (on February 1) for his fractured hand, the team said that his next re-evaluation would be on March 1. That was then bumped up to February 28.
So if the team has really signed off on his return, it would be three days ahead of schedule. But Goldberg reports that the team is still planning for a re-evaluation on Friday.
A team source has told me that there still is no definite return date for Steph Curry. March 1 still seems likely, but he will be evaluated on Feb. 28.
— Wes Goldberg (@wcgoldberg) February 25, 2020
A March 1 return would mean that Curry’s injury cost him almost exactly four months. He fractured his hand in a loss to the Phoenix Suns on October 30, when Suns center Aron Baynes fell and landed on the two-time MVP.
A March 1 return would also mean that Curry will be back for 22 games, though we’ll see how many he actually plays in.
It’s pretty meaningful for the Warriors to have Curry return. It will breathe life into the franchise and organization, and be a gift back to the fans who have dealt with rising ticket prices for a rather horrible team.
Perhaps most importantly, it will give Curry time to develop chemistry and rapport with Andrew Wiggins, Marquese Chriss, Eric Paschall, Jordan Poole, and the rest of the Warriors youngsters.
In four games and 28.0 minutes per night this year, Curry is averaging 20.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 6.5 assists, and 1.3 steals per game, while shooting 24.3% from deep.
The countdown is now on: If Charania’s report is accurate, then Golden State has just three non-Curry games remaining until the face of their franchise returns.