Why Steph Curry's trainer is very happy with Warriors medical staff

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If Steph Curry had the final say, he would have suited up against the Washington Wizards on Sunday night at Chase Center.

But the Warriors elected to keep the two-time NBA MVP on the sideline, preventing him from appearing in his his first game since Oct. 30 when he broke his left hand.

"The Warriors staff -- I gotta be honest with you guys -- has done just an outstanding job with this process," Curry's personal trainer, Brandon Payne, said Monday morning on KNBR 680. "The planning that they had in place and the thought process that they put into place was just outstanding.

"They've done a really good job of being thorough. They've had a really solid list of checkpoints that they've gone through, and I've been really pleased with it. I can't be much more happy with what they've done.

"I like the patience that they're showing. At this point, we all know (laughing) there's not a real big rush to get back -- from a playoff standpoint. I like that they're being very measured about everything they're doing."

The three-time NBA champion practiced with the G League Warriors in Santa Cruz on Monday, and "looked like the same old Steph" after a little bit of a slow start in the scrimmage.

A little over a week ago, Curry revealed he is dealing with some lingering nerve issues in that hand -- which might last for up to a year.

"I wouldn't say concerned. I just think that we have to continue to be very measured with what we do, and understand that we're dealing with a different sort of injury," Payne explained. "We don't have a defined timeline on exactly when it's gonna be back to normal.

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"Most of the time you're looking at six to 12 months for that to fully come back. It's already started to improve, so that's the good thing. And we're researching other ways to help get the nerve-sending signals back-and-forth more effectively. It's just gonna take a little bit of time.

"I wouldn't say concerned really enters my mind. I think some of the concern has really come more from fans and the media that really want him to play right now."

It's been an extremely frustrating season for the Dubs (13-48), who have the worst record in the NBA by a comfortable margin.

[RELATED: Only Steph's return can repair a broken Warriors alliance]

Curry is dying to take the floor again, which is expected to happen on either Thursday against the Toronto Raptors or Saturday against the Philadelphia 76ers.

"He's made unbelievable progress, and he's really, really close," Payne said. "I wouldn't say I'm concerned at all about it. It's just being patient and going through the process.

"And understanding that they are where they are in the season and there's really no rush to come back."

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