It’s looking more and more likely that Steph Curry will be ready for Game 1 of the Warriors’ playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. It was confirmed that Curry scrimmaged with the team yesterday and, despite some minor pain in his foot, he looked like his usual self by all accounts.

Steph himself went onto Draymond Green’s self-titled podcast and told his teammate that he was “optimistic” he would be playing in Game 1 barring any setbacks.

Curry’s return to the playoffs has been long-anticipated, especially after his incredible performances in the 2019 Finals and last year’s play-in games, shorthanded on both occasions, but still running up the numbers like he’s known to do. It will be a blessing to see one of the game’s premier talents and an elite playoff performer back on the big stage.

There is a wrinkle in Curry’s return, however. Due to the nature of his injury and the likelihood that he will not be at 100%, Warriors coach Steve Kerr said in his post-practice media availability that Curry will not be playing 30+ minutes in all likelihood. While there has been no definite number given, Kerr mentioned there would definitely be a minutes restriction:

Steph mentioned in this clip that he would be expecting to start should he be available for Game 1, although his minutes spread remains unsure. It figures he will be needed to play as many minutes in the 4th quarter as possible if the game is close, and you can’t have a 2-time MVP coming off the bench.

So that leaves the question of Jordan Poole. If Curry is starting, that means Poole will likely return to coming off the bench for now, as a matchup with Denver requires more size which Kevon Looney and Andrew Wiggins can provide. In another series, maybe Poole would get the nod, but he will likely have his minutes staggered with Curry’s so the team always has an on-ball scorer and playmaker on the floor.

There has been no official word yet on whether Curry will play Saturday. Should he take the floor, this series could be over in 5 games. If he doesn’t, or if he comes back but has a hitch here or there, it could take as many as 6. Either way, fans of both the Warriors and the game as a whole will be happy to see him back out there - whenever that may be.

(Photo credit: David Zalubowski / AP Photo)