The end is near for Stephen Curry. 

It’s not a knock on Curry nor is it a way to dismiss his body of work. This is merely the reality we currently live in, because the four-time NBA champion is inching closer to 40 and has missed nearly half the season due to various leg injuries. The league’s young stars are taking the mantle rather than waiting for it to be passed onto them. But that doesn’t mean Curry can’t give us all reminders that he can still hold onto that mantle for a little while.   

For his career, Curry has come off the bench in eight regular season games, with two coming in this current campaign. These recent games were proof that he doesn’t need a ton of minutes to score a ton of points; the flow of the game alone is enough to give him a plethora of opportunities. Even when he is not at 100 percent, the two-time NBA MVP remains a threat teams try not to leave open yet even a sliver of space can prove to be punishing for most defenses. 

The Golden State Warriors are definitely elated that Curry’s fine form is there even if in spurts. Currently, the Warriors are firmly entrenched in the Play-In Tournament, but the extra games aren’t helpful for an aging Golden State squad that would gladly take as many rest days as they can. Nonetheless, Curry and the Warriors always play with the cards they’re dealt with. 

This isn’t the first time they’ve faced adversity as the 2022 championship run was built on how they responded to injuries and the evolution of the roster due to injuries, free agency, and the business of the NBA. Curry was at the center of that as he too was injured and lost his teammates due to various reasons. He, Draymond Green, and Golden State head coach Steve Kerr have been constants through that time and they are facing this current situation together. 

Unlike previous iterations of the Warriors roster, this one was made as a result of midseason trades and to cope with the loss of Jimmy Butler. It’s still competitive but far from one that can vault into title contender status at full strength. This is thus, one of Curry’s biggest challenges: taking a roster like this to greater heights as he manages his way back into the scheme of things. Staving off teams fighting tooth and nail to enter the postseason is one thing, as once they enter the playoffs, vaunted squads are out to challenge them. 

That being said, there will be good days and bad ones, but Stephen Curry’s next games will be worth watching. The shooting exploits are expected, but the journey is must-see TV, as it will be generational as it is inspirational.