Stephen Curry’s Return to the Court Hinges on Knee Recovery, Kerr Confirms Play-In Tournament Availability
DALLAS (AP) — Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry will be available for the SoFi Play-In Tournament if his right knee responds favorably to continued rehabilitation, coach Steve Kerr stated Monday.
Kerr addressed concerns about potentially resting Curry despite not having a guaranteed playoff berth, emphasizing the team’s commitment to competing for a championship. He noted that Curry’s planned practice participation was postponed by the medical staff as a precautionary measure.
“It’s all just part of the rehab and all the different testing he does,” Kerr said before the Warriors’ game against the Dallas Mavericks. “Just pushed back a day or two.”
Warriors Secure Play-In Spot, Curry’s Status Remains Day-to-Day
Currently holding the 10th seed in the Western Conference NBA Standings, the Warriors are assured a place in the Play-In Tournament regardless of their remaining regular season results. To reach the playoffs, they would need to win two road games. Curry has been sidelined since January 30th, battling patella-femoral pain syndrome and bone bruising in his knee.
The Warriors’ performance reflects Curry’s absence, boasting a 23-16 record with him in the lineup but struggling to a 10-22 record without their star player, including a recent 6-15 slump.
“We’re not chasing a Play-In berth. We are squarely in the Play-In no matter what we do,” Kerr affirmed. “Bottom line, if Steph is healthy, he’s going to play because that’s what we’re here for. The chance to secure into the playoffs is a massive deal for us, big deal for Steph.”
Kerr Credits Curry as Key to His Continued Tenure
Steve Kerr’s longevity as the Warriors’ head coach is directly linked to Stephen Curry’s presence, as he stated in August 2025 according to Yahoo Sports. Kerr acknowledged that without Curry, his coaching career would likely have followed a more conventional trajectory.
“The reason I’m still here is because Steph Curry is still here. I’m not being modest, I’m just telling the truth,” Kerr said, drawing a parallel to the successful partnership between Gregg Popovich and Tim Duncan.
Recent Updates on Curry’s Recovery
As of March 19, 2026, Kerr indicated the Warriors are preparing for the Play-In Tournament, recognizing their current position according to WRALSportsFan. The possibility of Curry playing against the Atlanta Hawks remains contingent on his recovery progress. Curry was still recovering from a knee injury as of March 24, 2026 as reported by FinedayRadio.