Stephen Curry optimistic he'll return earlier than expected

Stephen Curry spoke to reporters for the first time since his Toyota Center tumble on Sunday that put the Golden State Warriors’ title defense in danger, and his massive fanbase had to like what it heard.

The reigning MVP who spoke at the team's practice facility in Oakland, Calif. is trying to return even earlier than expected – as soon as May 9, to be more specific.

After suffering the Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee in Game 4 of the Warriors’ first-round series against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors announced that Curry would be re-evalauted in two weeks. By that timeline, the re-evaluation would take place on May 10.

"I always have an optimistic view, no matter what it is, so I hope to get back sooner (than May 10)," Curry told reporters. "Having talked to the doctors and the athletic training staff and all the experts, that two-week timeline – as (Warriors general manager) Bob (Myers) said – was an educated guess.

"Whether it’s before two weeks, after two weeks, right at two weeks, the plan is to stay the same. Every day I’m getting treatment, every day I’m trying to do what I need to do to get back on the floor. And when the body says it’s time, we’ll push that button."

Because the sprain wasn't more severe, Curry said he is willing to come back before he's fully healthy because there is no risk of making the injury worse.

"Structurally (the knee is) sound," Curry said. "So knowing that, if I go out there I’m not going to hurt it any more. But there’s obviously pain thresholds and things that can shut your knee down if you’re not ready to go. So it’s kind of a fine balance….I won’t wait until I’m like, whatever, 100 percent, because obviously there’s a sense of urgency with the playoffs. But I won’t rush it to the point where I’m putting myself in danger."

In the early stages of his recovery, with Curry getting treatment three times a day and surely talking to the team’s medical staff on a seemingly-nonstop basis, he felt good enough about this prognosis to tell the world that there was some reason for optimism. That could always change, of course, and it’s worth noting that Curry has not yet returned to basketball activities (also of note: one media member on hand shared video of Curry still limping as he left the floor).

"It’s a lot of treatment, pretty much three times a day, trying to get full range of motion back and then doing some things where I can keep my cardio up and my strength in the weight room," Curry said. "I just started riding the bike a little bit yesterday. (It's) all those things that can keep your body active while you’re still healing."

So far, that doesn't include shooting.

"Nah, I tried that," he said. "But right now, with where we are, it’s trying to just continue the healing process and not rush it. As long as there’s some pain and what not, the shooting is not really on the docket."

But as it stands, the Warriors have themselves a best-case scenario that, if it plays out, would be manageable by any measure. May 9, it just so happens, is the scheduled date of Game 4 of the Warriors’ series against the winner of the Portland Trail Blazers-Los Angeles Clippers series (which, by most estimates, will conclude with a Blazers win Friday). Even if Curry didn’t return until Game 5, the prospect of the rest of the Warriors bunch surviving until then is entirely plausible.

Especially considering the way they closed against the Rockets without Curry.

Curry goes down just before halftime in Game 4 in Houston, and the Warriors answer with a 65-38 second half that said everything about their collective character. They kept it going in Game 5, routing the hapless Rockets 114-81 in the kind of game that – small sample size and all – was as good a sign as any that they can remain dominant against inferior teams.

Stephen Curry injury changes everything for playoffs

In Game 5, the Warriors’ offensive rating (120.8 points scored per 100 possessions) was significantly better than their league-high mark of 112.5 during the regular season. Their defensive rating (81.5 points allowed per 100 possessions) was not only better than the San Antonio Spurs’ league-best mark (96.6) from the regular season but far better than the 100.9 Warriors mark that was fifth in the NBA. As Curry noted, he played just 38 combined minutes in the series that the Warriors won in five games.

"The way that (his teammates) play, and the way that they have that confidence and that swagger about them, it’s fun to watch," Curry said. "We’re going to need that, that same energy, focus and confidence going forward, and to start this next round. Hopefully (they) get off to a good start, and get back to full strength as soon as possible."

Injuries like this should always come with a qualifier, as setbacks and frustrations are always possible along the way. Still, this is about the best the Warriors could have hoped for at this point. Unless Curry says otherwise, their championship outlook remains.