The Golden State Warriors may finally get the spark they desperately need.
After dropping four of their last five games — including an ugly 129–104 defeat to the Denver Nuggets — the Warriors are optimistic that Stephen Curry will return Sunday when they host the Indiana Pacers at Chase Center.
Head coach Steve Kerr delivered a cautiously upbeat update on the two-time MVP, who has missed the last two games with the flu.
“Steph is good,” Kerr said Friday. “Feeling a little better today. Until I’ve spoken with him and really get a feel, it’s hard to say one way or the other.”
Curry’s Return Could Reignite Warriors Offense
Getty Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors reacts after making a basket against the Phoenix Suns.
Curry’s absence has been felt across the board. The Warriors are 0-2 without him this season, after going 7-5 without their superstar guard last year.
Before falling ill, Curry played through sickness Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns, but his condition worsened in the second half, leading to what Kerr described as “flu-like symptoms.”
Through eight games of his 17th NBA season, Curry is averaging 26.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.3 assists, shooting 38.9% from three-point range — elite numbers even by his lofty standards. His return would immediately lift a Warriors offense that has struggled with spacing, pace, and leadership during his absence.
Golden State currently ranks near the middle of the league in offensive efficiency, a far cry from the crisp ball movement and precision that defined their championship years.
Green Takes Blame, Calls Out Team’s Defense
While Curry’s recovery brings optimism, Draymond Green’s fiery postgame comments after the Nuggets loss underscored a deeper problem: effort.
“Our defense sucks,” Green said bluntly. “And we’re 5-5. And they go hand in hand.”
The veteran forward didn’t spare himself from criticism. “I’ve failed,” he admitted. “If our defense looks as [expletive] as it does, I’ve failed. You can send as many messages as you want — until we do it, I’m failing at it.”
The Warriors’ defensive collapse in Denver was glaring. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic torched Golden State’s frontcourt for 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists — all in just three quarters. Denver shot 56.1% overall and 48.5% from three-point range (16-of-33), exposing Golden State’s lack of communication, rotations, and intensity.
Defensive Accountability at the Center of Green’s Message
Green, the emotional anchor of the team, said defense begins with individual pride.
“No. 1, it’s taking the challenge — a personal challenge,” he said. “You’ve got to take the personal challenge to guard your man. Then if you get beat, there’s help. But right now, we’re just relying on the help to beat everyone. When you don’t give effort, then help can’t get there.”
He added, “It starts individually. Everybody must take the challenge of guarding their man, and then you build out from there.”
Golden State’s younger players struggled to meet that challenge. Brandin Podziemski and Jonathan Kuminga each shot 3-of-10 from the field, while Moses Moody went 1-for-9. None provided the spark or energy the Warriors needed.
Aging Core, Tough Questions
With Curry sidelined and 39-year-old center Al Horford resting for load management, the Warriors looked disjointed on both ends of the floor. The combination of an aging core and inconsistent young contributors has raised concerns about whether this roster can still contend in the Western Conference.
“I think we need to be a hard-playing team,” Green emphasized. “We need to be great on the defensive end and we need to be hard-playing. If those two things happen, everything else falls into place. But we must be a high-energy, high-effort team and we must be a great defensive team.
“If we can’t reach those milestones,” he warned, “we don’t stand a chance.”
Looking Ahead: Pacers First, Then a Road Gauntlet
Golden State will need every bit of energy — and Curry’s leadership — as they prepare for a crucial stretch. After Sunday’s home game against Indiana, the Warriors begin a six-game road trip starting Tuesday against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.
A win over the Pacers could restore confidence before that daunting trip. And with Curry hopeful to be back on the floor, the Warriors finally have reason for cautious optimism — even as questions linger about whether their championship DNA can resurface before it’s too late.
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