The Stephen Curry return was everything Warriors fans had hoped for – and heartbreaking all at once. After missing 27 consecutive games due to a persistent knee injury, the NBA’s all-time leading three-point shooter came back to the court on April 5, 2026, only to watch the Golden State Warriors fall 117–116 to the Houston Rockets at Chase Center. Despite the loss, the Stephen Curry return injected long-overdue energy into a team that has been battling adversity all season long.
Curry’s Performance in His Return Game
Coming off the bench with just under five minutes left in the first quarter, Curry wasted little time reminding the league why the Stephen Curry return was so highly anticipated. He finished the game with 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting from the field, going 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and adding four assists in 26 minutes of play. In the first half alone, he put up 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting, showing flashes of vintage form despite the extended layoff caused by the Stephen Curry injury.
Head coach Steve Kerr had planned to play Curry in “small bursts,” targeting around 25 minutes – a plan the team mostly stuck to as they carefully managed his workload in his first game back from the Stephen Curry injury that had sidelined him since January 30.
A Season of Setbacks for the Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors have endured a bruising 2025–26 campaign. Beyond the Stephen Curry injury, the team also suffered season-ending injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody. Without Curry, Golden State posted a dismal 9–18 record across the 27 games he missed, tumbling to the 10th seed in the Western Conference and locking themselves into the Play-In Tournament. The warriors have a total record of 36 41, being 6 games behind the 7th seeded Phoenix Suns and 3 games behind the 9th seeded Los Angeles Clippers.
The absence of a complementary star like Kevin Durant – who departed Golden State years ago – has made the Warriors’ margin for error razor-thin. With Curry accounting for so much of the team’s offensive identity, every game he missed felt like a compounding loss. As the Stephen Curry return is now scheduled in just the right time before the postseason, Golden State is optimistic to complete the remaining five regular-season games with a fresh burst of energy before the Play-In Tournament.
What’s Next: Play-In Tournament and Playoff Outlook
Having five games left in the regular season, the Stephen Curry return may be the key to the post season of the Warriors. While Golden State cannot catch the sixth seed, every win matters in the Play-In race. Kerr acknowledged the importance of the moment, noting that Curry “brings hope to a tough situation.” Prior to the Stephen Curry injury, he was averaging 27.2 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 4.8 assists per game while shooting 46.8% from the field and 39.1% from three. The Warriors desperately need that version of Curry, and Sunday’s showing – though ending in defeat against the Houston Rockets – was an encouraging sign that he is close to full form.
For Warriors fans who endured a painful stretch without their franchise cornerstone, the Stephen Curry return is not just a roster update – it’s a lifeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many points did Stephen Curry score in his return game?
Stephen Curry scored 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three-point range, with four assists in 26 minutes during the Warriors’ 117–116 loss to the Houston Rockets.
Q: What was the Stephen Curry injury that kept him out?
Curry had a chronic knee injury and missed 27 games in a row and his last appearance prior to the comeback was on January 30, 2026.
Q: What is the Warriors’ seeding after Stephen Curry return?
The Golden State Warriors are in 10th place in the Western Conference and have a 36-41 record, which places them in the Play-In Tournament with five regular season games left.
Q: Did the Warriors win when Stephen Curry return against the Rockets?
No – the Golden State Warriors lost to the Houston Rockets, 117116 at Chase Center, despite an impressive performance by Curry (29 points) on April 5, 2026.
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