The Golden State Warriors received a major boost ahead of their Wednesday matchup against the Utah Jazz, as stars Stephen Curry and Draymond Green were both listed as probable to return, per the official NBA injury report. The duo had been sidelined for Monday’s 108–83 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the second game of a tough, emotionally charged back-to-back following a somber and unusual weekend in Minneapolis.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr all but confirmed their comeback after the defeat in Minnesota.
“Melton and Horford for sure. And hopefully Steph and Dray,” Kerr said postgame. “Leaving them out tonight was because they’re banged up, and Steph’s knee has been nagging him. Hopefully, with today off and tomorrow off, he’ll be ready to go.”
The decision to rest the veterans stemmed from both injury management and the compressed schedule, which included a postponement earlier in the weekend that shifted games and created an unexpected back-to-back.
Curry, the two-time MVP, had played the night before Monday’s loss, dropping 26 points in a dominant 111–85 win over the Timberwolves on Sunday. Afterward, he opened up about the knee flare-up.
“It kind of flared up when we came over to get a workout in,” Curry explained. “It was super weird. I’ve had stuff going on — quads and whatnot — but this was something I hadn’t felt before. I definitely took advantage of the day off to get right, and hopefully that continues.”
That extra rest came courtesy of the original Saturday game being postponed (and rescheduled to Sunday), providing a recovery window for the 37-year-old guard — though it ultimately forced the taxing back-to-back that sidelined him Monday.
Curry has missed 11 games this season so far. Under the NBA’s updated awards criteria, players need at least 65 appearances to qualify for major end-of-season honors like All-NBA or MVP. Despite the absences, he’s been highly productive when healthy, averaging 27.3 points on 39% three-point shooting, along with 5.0 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 1.1 steals. The Warriors have prioritized his long-term health as they navigate the heart of the season.
Without their stars Monday, Golden State struggled mightily on offense. Quinten Post led the team with 13 points, Brandin Podziemski added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Gui Santos notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards. The Warriors shot a dismal season-low 23.1% from beyond the arc (9-for-39) and never recovered after falling behind early.
The Minnesota trip unfolded against a backdrop of significant tension following two fatal incidents involving federal immigration enforcement (ICE) in the city this month.
Saturday’s game was postponed after Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care nurse, was shot and killed during an ICE operation on Friday. Federal officials stated an agent fired in self-defense after Pretti allegedly resisted, but bystander video reviewed by outlets like ABC News appeared to show him holding only a cellphone before being tackled and shot.
This marked the second such death in under three weeks, following the January 7 killing of Renée Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, also by an ICE officer. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner ruled her death a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities claimed the agent fired after Good allegedly tried to strike officers with her vehicle — a version disputed by her family and local officials.
Community leaders, elected officials, and others have called for transparency, accountability, and independent probes into both cases, per reports from the Associated Press and others.
Curry witnessed the unrest firsthand from the team hotel.
“I was glued to the TV when we weren’t playing,” he said. “Just watching the coverage, understanding what was going on, trying to really get knowledgeable about it.”
He also captured video from his room as demonstrators marched through downtown Minneapolis in sub-zero temperatures.
“It was like three straight hours,” Curry noted. “In negative 10-degree weather. That was beautiful to see that turnout. That speaks to how important people felt it was to have their voice heard.”
With Curry and Green set to return Wednesday, the Warriors aim to reset both on the court and emotionally as they continue their road trip against the Jazz.