Stephen Curry Returns Sunday as Warriors Host Rockets

Merlin sees Stephen Curry poised to return Sunday after missing time since Jan. 30 with patellofemoral pain syndrome. ESPN’s Shams Charania and Anthony Slater report Curry is expected to play at home against the Houston Rockets, and coach Steve Kerr stressed, "we're not bringing him back for the Play-In game. He needs to play some games, and we need to give him a runway." Curry has averaged 27.2 points, 4.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds this season. Merlin senses the Warriors get more than a scorer when Curry returns. A few tune-up games could restore rhythm and spacing for Golden State, but minutes and health will be guarded. If Curry looks like his usual self, the play-in suddenly feels less like a coin flip and more like a door opening.