Curry optimistic he will return before May 9 target date

The Golden State Warriors now know their opponent for the Western Conference semifinals, but when they'll get star point guard Stephen Curry back remains a mystery.

Curry has been rehabbing his injured right knee several times a day in order to try and get back in time to face the Portland Trail Blazers. The Warriors initially gave a loose timeline for return of May 9, though Curry hopes to get back sooner.

"Feeling better but just got a ways to go," Curry told reporters Friday. "I always have an optimistic view, no matter what it is. I hope to get back sooner. I haven't talked to the doctors, athletic training staff, all the experts. That two-week timeline was, as Bob (Myers, GM) says, an educated guess."

The Warriors begin Game 1 against the Trail Blazers on Sunday following a three-day layoff after knocking out the Houston Rockets in five games.

"It's nice to have a break," Curry said. "The boys took care of business, so we can get a little bit of built-in rest."

Curry dealt with ankle issues throughout the first three games of the Rockets' series only to return and injure his knee when slipping on a wet spot on the court in Game 4. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain.

"That could have been 10 times worse," Curry said. "It was just simply a wet spot that put me in a very vulnerable position."

The reigning MVP has spent the past few days rehabbing constantly.

"It's a lot of treatment," Curry said. "Trying to get a full range of motion back. Doing some things where I can keep my cardio up and my strength in the weight room. Just started riding the bike a little bit yesterday. All the things that can keep your body active while they're still healing."