With the 2025-26 NBA regular season entering its final stages, the Golden State Warriors have fallen out of contention for an automatic playoff spot following the recent knee injury to franchise legend Stephen Curry, which sent them tumbling down the Western Conference standings.
It has been an injury-plagued season for the veteran Warriors roster, including the mystery illness of trade-deadline acquisition Kristaps Porzingis and the earlier loss of Jimmy Butler III to a season-ending ACL tear.
Despite the setbacks, the Warriors remain positioned for a play-in tournament berth. Reports indicate they could receive a significant boost with Curry’s return before the end of the month.
How Stephen Curry’s Return Could Boost the Warriors’ Playoff Push
The four-time NBA champion, two-time MVP, and the league’s all-time 3-point leader has been sidelined since late January with a knee injury. According to ESPN insider Shams Charania, there is “cautious optimism” that Curry will return before the end of the month.
“There is cautious optimism that Stephen Curry will return to the lineup at some point by the end of the month,” Charania told Malika Andrews on “NBA Today.”
Charania added that Curry’s progress follows a strong on-court workout on Tuesday in Boston.
“That’s after I’m told he had a strong on-court workout Tuesday afternoon in Boston…the most important part, though, is he’s not experiencing the swelling that he’s had over the last several weeks or a month ago when he needed a PRP injection from my understanding, due to those knee issues.”
Joining @malika_andrews on NBA Today for the latest on Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry’s return to play process: pic.twitter.com/Y6peExS0J7
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 18, 2026
Curry reportedly completed running, cutting, and light-contact drills during the workout. With his knee responding well, optimism has grown that he could return before March ends.
He was also seen taking pregame shots before the Warriors’ matchup against the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night, which Golden State lost 120-99. Observers noted that Curry appeared to be moving well, a promising sign for his recovery.
The Warriors are counting on his return. A healthy Curry, combined with Porzingis’ recent comeback, could help Golden State advance beyond the play-in tournament and into the postseason. For Warriors fans, the end of March cannot arrive soon enough.
The Warriors are in the midst of a difficult six-game road trip. Up next for them are the Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, and Dallas Mavericks before they return home to host the Brooklyn Nets in what many expect will be Curry’s return game.
