Stephen Curry Reportedly Targeting Conference Semifinals Return from Knee Injury

Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr is on the record of saying "there's no way" Stephen Curry will play in the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs after spraining his MCL near the end of March, but the two-time NBA MVP doesn't plan on being out much longer than that.  

According to Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports, Curry is targeting a return in the Western Conference Semifinals. The team initially announced that he would be re-evaluated in three weeks, making Saturday an important day for the organization. 

Curry missed six games last month due to an ankle sprain, and when he returned to the court on March 23, he left the game late in the third quarter after teammate JaVale McGee landed on his left leg during a rebound. That put not just the rest of his season, but his team's season, in jeopardy.

In 2017-18, Curry averaged 26.4 points on 49.5 percent shooting (including 42.3 percent from three-point range), 6.1 assists and 5.1 rebounds. He was limited to just 51 games due to a variety of injuries.

Curry's latest ailment came during a time when the Warriors were banged up. Kevin Durant (ribs), Klay Thompson (thumb) and Draymond Green (pelvic contusion) all missed time. Fortunately for the team, those three All-Stars were back on the court by the time the regular season ended.

The same can not be said for the superstar guard.

Golden State's first-round opponent, the San Antonio Spurs, are also expected to be without a key player. Kawhi Leonard was limited to just nine games this season due to a quad injury, and he has not played since Jan. 13.

The Warriors-Spurs series tips off on Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. Golden State went 3-1 against San Antonio this season. If it can continue that trend and advance, it would face the winner of the Portland Trail Blazers-New Orleans Pelicans series, with Curry possibly returning during then.