Stephen Curry puts up 29 in return, nearly hands Warriors win

Key Points:

• Stephen Curry returned from a 27-game absence to score 29 points in 26 minutes, nearly leading the Golden State Warriors to a comeback win over the Houston Rockets, but missed a game-winning 30-foot shot at the buzzer in a 117-116 loss.
• Curry initially struggled after coming off the bench but found his rhythm in the second half, scoring 22 points in the third and fourth quarters combined, despite a cautious approach to managing his minutes due to a persistent knee injury.
• Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised Curry's performance, highlighting the challenge of facing tough defender Amen Thompson in his first game back and noting Curry's impact on the team's overall rhythm and competitiveness.
• The Warriors, currently 36-42 and likely to finish as the 10th seed, face a critical stretch with only four regular-season games left before a play-in tournament, where they must win twice to reach the playoffs.
• Curry described his ongoing knee pain and swelling as his "new normal" but confirmed no structural damage, emphasizing the importance of smart management as he prepares to rejoin the starting lineup and help the team push for a playoff spot.