SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry announced his return to the lineup Friday night, long before the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves even started.
As is his custom before home games at Chase Center, Curry lined up from the end of the tunnel the Warriors exit from and started heaving up shots to the basket on the opposite end. The shot itself measures around 100 feet. Curry handed the ball to a nearby security guard so he could get a pass for the shot attempt. After taking a short pass from the guard, Curry took a couple of dribbles to gather his momentum and then launched an attempt from the carpet that led to the court. The ball hovered in the air for a couple of seconds, traveling underneath the scoreboard on the way to the rim.
Swish.
STEPHEN CURRY ARE YOU SERIOUS???
Looks like he’s ready for his return to the lineup 🤯
(via @warriors) pic.twitter.com/MWuYYdKVXF
— NBA (@NBA) December 13, 2025
He raced off the floor in celebration with his arms at his side like an airplane as the guard who made the pass, and the fans standing around the tunnel watching, cheered in disbelief. An hour or so later, the four-time NBA champion made his return to a game after missing five straight because of a left quad injury and looked like his old self. The 37-year-old scored 39 points, dished out five assists and grabbed five rebounds in 32 minutes in a 127-120 loss to the Timberwolves.
Curry made 14 of 28 from the field and looked refreshed and energized in his return. It was the eighth time this season he scored at least 30 points, but it wasn’t enough for a Warriors team playing without veteran defensive stalwart Draymond Green, who remains out because of a team-excused absence, and Al Horford (sciatica).
The Warriors have played solid defense throughout much of the season, but Timberwolves big men Julius Randle and Rudy Gobert overwhelmed the group throughout the night. The pair combined for 51 points and 23 rebounds.
Curry and the Warriors face off against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night. Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Green would rejoin the team in Portland, but the decision on whether Green plays will be made by the Warriors’ training staff after the forward, who has been dealing with a lingering foot issue, has missed almost a week and a half.
The good news for the Warriors is that Curry, and the magic he brings to the floor, is back. Now the group must find the rhythm and consistency it has been searching for all season.
As Curry finished up his postgame remarks to reporters, he was asked what it was like to hit the 100-foot shot before the game.
“That’s the second one I made,” Curry said. “I thought it was going to be a better night.”
