Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been cleared for a five-on-five scrimmage, marking his most significant step yet toward returning from a persistent right knee injury. The two-time MVP will miss his 26th consecutive game Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs while testing his knee in practice.

Curry first experienced pain and swelling in his right knee after a workout in Minneapolis on Jan. 24, playing through it briefly before leaving a Jan. 30 game against the Detroit Pistons. Initial optimism for a post-All-Star break return faded when his knee didn't respond well to on-court work during All-Star weekend in Los Angeles. Rick Celebrini, the franchise's lead medical decision maker, has maintained a cautious approach throughout the rehabilitation process.

The Warriors have lost 16 of their last 25 games without Curry and currently sit at 36-39, holding the 10th seed in the Western Conference. With the play-in tournament approaching, the team hopes to give Curry enough games to prepare for potentially needing to win two elimination games to reach the playoffs as the eighth seed.