As the Golden State Warriors enter the stretch run of the 2019-20 NBA season, the news around Stephen Curry’s broken hand becomes the top priority. Each report that circulates regarding the six-time All-Stars injured hand has been positive.
Curry’s been traveling with his teammates, working out at practice, taking part in pregame shooting routines, and he’s now been cleared to participate in full-contact scrimmages. After missing all but four games in the entire season, Curry could make his long-awaited return to the Warriors when the calendar flips to March.
However, as exciting as it is that Curry’s return is nearing, there will still be an adjustment period once he is back on the floor. As the two-time Most Valuable Player progresses through his rehab, Curry will have to adapt to his healed hand.
Curry spoke to reporters at Golden State’s Saturday practice about dealing with nerve damage from the injury in his left hand.
Via Anthony Slater of The Athletic:
This one was a serious one that had a lot of nuances to it with the two surgeries and the nerve damage that I’m still dealing with. Again, everything is new. If it was an ankle thing, I would tell you exactly what was happening every step of the way.
The Warriors’ point guard was asked if he’s feeling any sensation or tingling in his hand due to the nerve damage.
All that type of stuff. When you have 280 lbs laying on your hand, it’s bound for something like that to happen. Thankfully it’s responding, it’s just a slow process.
Curry broke his hand against the Phoenix Suns in late October on an awkward collision with Aaron Baynes. The Suns’ center fell on Curry leading to his injury.
The Davidson product told reporters his hand would feel different once he returns, but his goal is to get to a place where he’s playing without thinking about it.
I’m getting used to what the new normal is. It definitely feels different than the right (hand), but you can try to get to a point where when you’re actually playing basketball, you don’t think about it — whether it feels all the way the same or not, that doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m not worried about the things that I’m trying to do, the strength part of it and how it bounces back the next day after pushing it. Whether it’s contact type stuff and all that. You have to pay attention to all that type of stuff. To answer your question, It is going to feel different. Anybody that’s been through surgeries knows it takes a long time for it to get back to true normal. Functionally speaking, where I’m out there on the court where I’m not thinking about it, that’s where I’m trying to get to.
Most notable part of Steph Curry’s presser: He’s still getting over the nerve damage in left hand
-“When you have 280 pounds laying on your hand, something’s bound to happen.”
-“I’m getting used to what the new normal is. It definitely feels different than the right.” pic.twitter.com/N8Yo2YFmn0— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) February 22, 2020
If Curry is cleared to play on March 1 against when the Washington Wizards come to San Francisco, he will have 22 games left in the season to see how his hand responds from injury.