The Golden State Warriors are in a tricky spot. A rough 112-86 loss to the Miami Heat exposed just how much they miss Stephen Curry, and with only ten games left in the regular season, time isn’t exactly on their side. But here’s the twist—head coach Steve Kerr isn’t panicking. In fact, he’s confident the Warriors already have the answer to their struggles. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; it’s about sticking to a system that has already proven to work. The only question now? Whether they’ll have their biggest weapon back in time to make it count.

If you just looked at the scoreboard against Miami, you’d think the Warriors were utterly lost. But Kerr made one thing clear after the game—this team has a formula that works.

“I’m very confident, you know, with what we’re doing,” Kerr said. “Over the last, whatever, 20 games since we’ve had Jimmy, we’re a top-five offensive team.“

Although, according to TNT, they have held the 6th ranking for offensive teams with Stephen Curry this season, and without him they are dead last.

This isn’t about some major crisis. The Warriors have already shown they can be elite offensively with Jimmy Butler in the lineup. The problem against Miami wasn’t the system—it was execution. Shots didn’t fall, and without Curry to draw defenders and create space, the offense felt stuck.

Kerr tried to prioritize defense early by starting Gary Payton II to slow down Tyler Herro, and for a bit, it worked. But when the offense kept missing shots, things spiraled fast. That’s why Kerr isn’t overreacting. One bad night doesn’t erase what they’ve built. But at the same time, even the best offensive plan can only do so much without their biggest star.

The Clock Is Ticking On Curry’s Return

Kerr’s confidence in the system is one thing. But if the Warriors are serious about making noise in the playoffs, they need Curry back. And soon. “We’ve lost two games in a row, very poor performances. It’s time, and we’ve got to bounce back,” Kerr said.

He’s not wrong. The Warriors are 41-31, hanging onto their playoff positioning in a wild Western Conference. Every game matters now, which is why their next matchup against the Pelicans isn’t just another regular-season game—it’s the biggest game of the year.

So, will Curry be back for it? Kerr hopes so.

“I’d be surprised if he didn’t play, but it’s day-to-day, so we’ll list him as questionable for a reason,” Kerr explained. “He is questionable, but he’s been trending upward, so I’m hopeful that he’ll play.”

That’s not a guarantee, but it’s the most optimistic update we’ve heard. Curry has been out since March 20 with a pelvic contusion, and while early reports suggested a quick return, lingering discomfort forced the Warriors to be cautious. Now, with the season on the line, the pressure to get him back is at an all-time high.

At this point, there’s no time left for “figuring things out.” Kerr believes in the Warriors’ current system, and with Butler in the mix, they’ve already proven they can compete at an elite level. But the reality is simple: their ceiling is entirely dependent on Curry’s return.

Friday’s showdown against the Pelicans is more than just another game—it’s a defining moment. If Curry is back, the Warriors have everything they need to bounce back strong. If he’s not? Well, then they’ll have to prove Steve Kerr’s plan can work under the toughest circumstances. Either way, the answer is coming soon.