Warriors New Plan for Stephen Curry After Return Delay

The Golden State Warriors are continuing to take a cautious approach with Stephen Curry as he works toward a return, with coach Steve Kerr outlining the next steps following a recent delay in his recovery timeline.

Speaking during a radio interview on 95.7 The Game on Tuesday, Kerr said Curry’s anticipated return to live scrimmage action in Atlanta was pushed back, with the team now targeting later this week as the next checkpoint.

“Well, the scrimmage was pushed back, and I think the plan is for him to scrimmage this week,” Kerr said. “Rick is really monitoring all of this. He’s in charge, and he just felt that day that we should push it back a couple of days.”

The decision underscores the Warriors’ emphasis on caution as they approach the final stretch of the regular season.

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Warriors Medical Staff Leading Decision-Making

Kerr made it clear that the team’s medical staff, led by Rick Celebrini, holds the final authority on Curry’s status.

“It’s Rick,” Kerr said when asked who has the final say. “He collaborates with Steph, but ultimately, it’s Rick’s decision.”

That collaborative approach ensures Curry’s input is considered while maintaining a structured medical process.

Kerr added that if Curry is medically cleared, there will be no hesitation to play him.

“I can tell you with pretty good faith that if he’s cleared to play, I will play him,” Kerr said.

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Warriors Emphasizing Caution

Despite Curry’s desire to return, Kerr stressed that the organization will not rush the process.

“If we don’t feel good about it, then he’s not going to play,” Kerr said. “We’re not pushing him into anything if things aren’t really clear.”

The Warriors have about 10 games remaining in the regular season, making every decision increasingly significant as they position themselves for the postseason.

Kerr acknowledged that urgency exists but reiterated that health remains the priority.

“If there’s anything that’s a concern whatsoever, then that takes precedence,” he said.

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Next Step: Evaluation and Scrimmage

Curry is expected to meet with the medical staff again on Wednesday, where the next phase of his recovery will be determined.

“He’ll come in tomorrow and see Rick, and they will determine what’s next,” Kerr said.

The key milestone remains a return to live scrimmage action, which will provide a clearer indication of how Curry’s body responds under game-like conditions.

Curry had already been officially ruled out for Wednesday’s home game against the Brooklyn Nets. But Kerr is cautiously optimistic Curry can return at some point before the play-in tournament.

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Golden State Wary of Rushing Curry After Moody Injury

The cautious approach comes in the wake of Moses Moody’s season-ending injury, which has reinforced the importance of prioritizing player health.

Golden State has already navigated a stretch without Curry, going 7-15 during his latest absence, highlighting his impact on the team’s performance.

As the Warriors continue their push toward a better play-in tournament seeding, Curry’s return remains one of the most significant factors in their outlook.

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Balancing Urgency and Health

While the timeline remains fluid, Kerr’s message was clear: the Warriors will not compromise long-term health for short-term gains.

Curry’s next steps will depend on how he responds to increased activity, with scrimmage participation serving as a critical evaluation point.

Until then, Golden State will continue to balance urgency with caution as it prepares for the final stretch of the season.

Alder Almo is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com. He has more than 20 years of experience in local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Alder is from the Philippines and is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo