Stephen Curry returns to Warriors after missing 11 games
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SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Stephen Curry returned to the Golden State Warriors after an 11-game absence with a partially dislocated left shoulder, joining the starting lineup as the defending champions hosted the Phoenix Suns.
While Curry wasn’t on a strict minutes restriction Tuesday night, coach Steve Kerr noted that he’s “not going to play a heavy load.”
Golden State returned to its usual five starters as Klay Thompson also returned after he was scratched late in a loss to Orlando on Saturday due to soreness in his surgically repaired left knee. Andrew Wiggins returned Saturday after missing 15 games with both an upper right leg strain and a non-COVID illness.
Curry, the reigning NBA Finals MVP, had been sidelined since injuring his shoulder trying to strip Pacers forward Jalen Smith of the ball with 2:04 left in the third quarter of a 125-119 loss at Indiana on Dec. 14. The Warriors went 6-5 without him, but had lost two straight at home for the first time all season.
The 34-year-old career 3-point leader entered the game averaging 30.0 points, 6.8 assists and 6.6 rebounds in his 14th NBA season.
In a courtside ceremony before the game, Curry was to present brother-in-law Damion Lee, now with the Suns after four years with the Warriors, his championship ring from last season.
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