Curry Shines in Return, Kerr Praises Impact

Warriors star scores 29 points in first game back after 27-game absence

Apr. 7, 2026 at 8:28pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring fragmented geometric shapes in shades of blue, orange, and green, capturing the dynamic movement and energy of a basketball player on the court.Curry's triumphant return sparks Warriors' playoff push with his signature scoring touch and court vision.Houston Today

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry made a triumphant return on Sunday, scoring 29 points in 26 minutes off the bench in a narrow 117-116 loss to the Houston Rockets. Head coach Steve Kerr praised Curry's immediate impact, saying 'Steph looked amazing' and that his 'rhythm is our rhythm'.

Why it matters

Curry's return is a major boost for the Warriors as they prepare for the NBA play-in tournament with five regular-season games remaining. The team has struggled without their star, going 13-25 in his absence, and his availability could be critical in their push to secure a playoff berth.

The details

Playing his first game since January 30, Curry shot 11-of-21 from the field and 5-of-10 from 3-point range. He recorded an assist on his first possession and knocked down a 3-pointer late in the first quarter, quickly finding his rhythm despite the challenging matchup against Rockets guard Amen Thompson. Curry's presence also created opportunities for his teammates, with Kerr noting the 'off-ball stuff' and 'easy layups' generated by Curry's movement and gravity.

  • Curry returned to action on Sunday, April 6, 2026.
  • Curry had been sidelined for 27 games due to a right knee injury.

The players

Stephen Curry

A veteran guard for the Golden State Warriors who is a seven-time NBA All-Star and three-time NBA champion.

Steve Kerr

The head coach of the Golden State Warriors, who has led the team to three NBA championships.

Amen Thompson

A guard for the Houston Rockets, known as one of the league's top perimeter defenders.

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What they’re saying

“'Steph looked amazing. He's worked really hard for this. You can see it doesn't take much for him to find his rhythm. And his rhythm is also our rhythm... He changes everything.'”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

“'I don't think there's a tougher defender in the league for him to have his first game against than Amen Thompson. Steph looked amazing...His rhythm is our rhythm.'”

— Steve Kerr, Head Coach, Golden State Warriors

“'First run was rough. Second run was great.'”

— Stephen Curry

What’s next

The Warriors are expected to gradually increase Curry's minutes and return him to the starting lineup in the coming games, though the team will likely avoid playing him in back-to-back contests as part of a cautious recovery approach.

The takeaway

Curry's return provides a major boost for the Warriors as they look to build momentum heading into the NBA play-in tournament. His scoring, playmaking, and overall impact on the team's rhythm could be critical in their push to secure a playoff berth.