Steph Curry is back

Stephen Curry hasn't played since January 30. Twenty-seven games missed with patellofemoral pain syndrome — runner's knee — and at 38 years old, there were real questions about what he'd look like coming back. We got the answer Sunday night: vintage Steph.

Curry came off the bench for the first time in the regular season in 14 years and dropped 29 points on 11-of-21 shooting, including 5-of-10 from three. He scored 19 in the second half alone, nearly willing the Warriors to a comeback in a 117-116 loss to Houston. The standing ovation when he checked in with 4:54 left in the first quarter was one of the loudest moments of the season at Chase Center.

The Warriors are 36-42 and heading for the play-in as the 10 seed. They'll need to win two road games just to reach the playoffs. But with Curry back and showing zero signs of discomfort, Steve Kerr's message was clear: "We're back in the mix. We're back in the fight."