The chef is back in the kitchen, folks! After a brief three-game break nursing an ankle injury, Steph Curry returned to the Golden State Warriors’ lineup on Monday night—and let’s just say, he didn’t ease into it. In a mere 24 minutes on the court, Curry cooked up 24 points, as if the injury was just a pesky commercial break. The Warriors coasted to a 125-112 win over the Washington Wizards, and Steph made sure to remind everyone why he’s essential to the team’s secret sauce.
Speaking with NBC Sports Bay Area’s “Warriors Postgame Live,” Curry shared his relief at getting back to business. “It’s nice to be back with my guys,” he said, grinning like a kid who’s back in his favorite class after a sick day. “They’ve been handling things pretty solidly without me, so I didn’t want to be the weak link out there. We’re vibing right now.”
The Warriors aren’t just “vibing”—they’re thriving. Even without Curry’s superhuman shot-making, they’ve racked up three straight wins, proving that the squad has more tricks up its sleeve than just Curry’s sharpshooting. Buddy Hield, a new addition to the Warriors’ bench mob, has been a revelation, proving doubters wrong with every three-pointer he sinks. Draymond Green, perhaps taking a page from Curry’s playbook, has even found the scoring groove.
Curry acknowledged this collective effort, pointing out that everyone on the team is pitching in. “Buddy’s playing amazing, Draymond’s scoring, and we’re all creating good shots. It’s great to see,” he added, likely thanking the basketball gods that the Warriors kept it together in his absence.
Oh, and in case you’re curious, the Dubs aren’t exactly getting to ease back into things. Their next test? A three-game stretch that could rattle anyone’s ankle tape. First up is the Boston Celtics, a rematch of the 2022 NBA Finals and a chance to settle some old scores. Then they head to Cleveland to face the scorching Cavaliers, and they’ll round off the trip with a showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
So, as the Warriors gear up for these high-stakes games, Curry’s words echo with a mix of determination and relief. “We’ve got a long way to go,” he admitted, possibly thinking ahead to a grueling road schedule that would make even the most seasoned travelers cringe. But one thing’s for sure: Curry’s back, and he’s not here to play around—well, except on the court, where playing around is what he does best.
With their win over the Wizards, the Warriors now sit pretty at 6-1, tied for the fourth-best record in the league. The undefeated Cavaliers, Thunder, and Celtics may be the teams to catch, but the Warriors are in hot pursuit, ankle injuries and all.
